By Eleanor Wilson
Berwick MP Brad Battin has added another notch to his shadow ministry belt following the announcement of the Liberal Party’s shadow cabinet line-up over the weekend.
Mr Battin will take on the role of shadow minister for criminal justice reform, alongside his existing shadow portfolios of police, youth justice, crime prevention and corrections.
Criminal justice reform is a new portfolio for the Liberal Party, with Mr Battin stating statistics point to a “rotating door in the justice system” which require “new thinking and a fresh approach”.
In Victoria, over 50 per cent of people who complete a prison sentence return to the criminal justice system within two years, he said.
More than 50 per cent of people in prison have a previous diagnosis of a mental health issue and up to 80 per cent of young people in prison have a diagnosed psychological disorder.
The former police officer, said he “can’t wait to get into these portfolios and get the conversation going that we need change”.
“I look forward to working with experts in the field, academics and community based organisations to put together reforms that deliver on improving community safety,” Mr Battin said.
“These reforms will focus on prevention and working with the health sector to establish ways to work with people living with a mental health issue so we can treat them, not jail them.”
The shadow cabinet assembly saw Caulfield MP David Southwick continue his role as Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party, while Sandringham MP Brad Rowswell stepped up as shadow treasurer.
Thirty-six year old Rowswell, who is serving his second term in government, represents a shadow cabinet of fresh faces.
Newly elected Kew MP Jess Wilson will tackle three shadow portfolios including finance, economic reform and housing affordability, while Nepean MP Sam Groth also gained a seat at the frontbench, with his youth, and tourism sports and events portfolios.
In the upper house, newly elected South Eastern Metropolitan Region MP Ann-Marie Hermans was assigned shadow minister for Emergency Services, WorkCover and TAC and newly elected Northern Metropolitan region MP Evan Mulholland became shadow cabinet secretary.
Former Liberal leader Matthew Guy did not receive a shadow portfolio in the line-up.
MP Peter Walsh stayed on as deputy leader of the Coalition and leader for the Nationals, with Lowan MP Emma Kealy rising up as Deputy leader for the Nationals.
The shadow cabinet make-up marks the start of Liberal Party leader John Pesutto’s government, after he narrowly beat Mr Battin 17-16 in the battle for the opposition top-spot on December 8.
