James Merlino
| The Honourable James Merlino | |
|---|---|
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Merlino with Jackson Taylor MP, 2021.
| |
| 28th Deputy Premier of Victoria | |
| In office 4 December 2014 – 27 June 2022 | |
| Premier | Daniel Andrews |
| Preceded by | Peter Ryan |
| Succeeded by | Jacinta Allan |
| Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in Victoria | |
| In office 2 February 2012 – 25 June 2022 | |
| Leader | Daniel Andrews |
| Preceded by | Rob Hulls |
| Succeeded by | Jacinta Allan |
| Cabinet Positions Minister for Education In office 4 December 2014 – 27 June 2022 Premier Daniel Andrews Preceded by Martin Dixon Succeeded by Natalie Hutchins Minister for Mental Health In office 29 September 2020 – 27 June 2022 Premier Daniel Andrews Preceded by Martin Foley Succeeded by Gabrielle Williams Minister for Emergency Services In office 10 June 2016 – 29 November 2018 Premier Daniel Andrews Preceded by Jane Garrett Succeeded by Lisa Neville Minister for Police In office 11 October 2010 – 2 December 2010 Premier John Brumby Preceded by Bob Cameron Succeeded by Peter Ryan Minister for Corrections In office 11 October 2010 – 2 December 2010 Premier John Brumby Preceded by Bob Cameron Succeeded by Andrew McIntosh Minister for Sport, Recreation and Youth Affairs In office 1 December 2006 – 2 December 2010 Premier Steve Bracks John Brumby Preceded by Justin Madden Succeeded by Hugh Delahunty | |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Monbulk | |
| In office 30 November 2002 – 26 November 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Steve McArthur |
| Succeeded by | Daniela De Martino |
| other offices held Chairman of the Suburban Rail Loop Authority Incumbent Assumed office 1 July 2023 [1] Deputy Chair Christine Wyatt [2] Preceded by James McKenzie[3] Chairman and Director of Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Limited Incumbent Assumed office 1 January 2023 CEO Vicki Doyle Preceded by Kenneth Marshman Chairman of Victorian Catholic Education Authority [4] Incumbent Assumed office c. January 2024 Preceded by Position established Chairman of Slater & Gordon Incumbent Assumed office 16 December 2025 [5] CEO Dina Tutungi Preceded by James MacKenzie | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | James Anthony Merlino 17 August 1972 Melbourne, Victoria, Australia |
| Party | Labor |
| Spouse | Meagan Merlino |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | St Edmund's School Mount Lilydale Mercy College |
| Alma mater | University of Melbourne |
| Occupation | Union official Labourer Politician |
James Anthony Merlino (born 19 August 1972)[6] is a former Australian politician who served as 28th deputy premier of Victoria from 2014 to 2022 under Premier Daniel Andrews. He was the deputy leader of the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) from 2012 to 2022 and a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the division of Monbulk from 2002 until his retirement.
Early life
Merlino was born in Melbourne to Italian immigrant parents Bruno and Mary Merlino. His father was a bricklayer who immigrated to Australia in 1961. Merlino attended St Edmund’s Primary School, where he became interested in politics especially during the 1984 Australian federal election.
Political career
Merlino was elected at the 2002 state election defeating Steve McArthur. Merlino comfortably retained his seat at the state election in 2006 and became the Minister for Sport and Recreation and Youth Affairs, securing a place in cabinet. Under new Premier John Brumby's government he retained that ministry and gained a new role as Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs.[7] He subsequently became Police Minister following the resignation of the previous Minister.
When the ALP lost government in the 2010 state election, Merlino became Shadow Minister for Police, the TAC and Road Safety. In February 2012, he was elected unopposed as Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in Victoria following the resignation of Rob Hulls, and subsequently became the deputy leader of the opposition.[8]
With the election of the Andrews Labor Government in late 2014, Merlino became Deputy Premier and Education Minister.[9] On 10 June 2016, Merlino also became Minister for Emergency Services following the resignation of Brunswick MP Jane Garrett from the Andrews Ministry.[10]
In March 2021, Merlino became the Acting Premier of Victoria after Daniel Andrews fell down a flight of stairs while holidaying on the Mornington Peninsula, suffering several broken ribs and a broken vertebra from the fall. Merlino was Acting Premier until Andrews returned to work on 28 June 2021.[11][12]
In June 2022, Merlino announced his retirement from politics and did not contest the November state election.[13] He stepped down from his ministerial roles on 27 June 2022.
Merlino is a member of Labor's right faction.[14] He is a Catholic.[15]
Football
In December 2022 he was part of the successful Andrew Gowers ticket in the Hawthorn board election.[16]
References
- Back to citation "James Merlino term as chairman extended". suburban rail loop authority. suburban rail loop authority. Retrieved 1 July 2026.
- Back to citation from 1 December 2023 onwards, position of deputy chair was vacant from July to December
- Back to citation "James Merlino Appointed Chair". The Age. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
- Back to citation "James Merlino Appointed Chair of Victorian Catholic Education Authority - Press Release" (PDF). Victorian Catholic Education Authority. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
- Back to citation "Merlino Appointed Independent Chair of Slater and Gordon". Slater & Gordon. Slater and Gordon. Retrieved 16 December 2025.
- Back to citation "Out of the shadows: Will James Merlino be our next premier?".
- Back to citation "John Brumby's new Cabinet". Herald Sun. 3 August 2007. Retrieved 3 August 2007.
- Back to citation "Merlino becomes deputy leader of Vic ALP". The Sydney Morning Herald. 1 February 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2012.
- Back to citation Parliament of Victoria - Members and Ministers February 25, 2016 Retrieved 25 May 2016
- Back to citation "James Merlino to replace Victorian Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett, as government threatens to sack CFA board". Ninemsn. 11 June 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2016.
- Back to citation "Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews in intensive care with damage to his vertebrae and ribs". ABC News. 9 March 2021. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- Back to citation Taylor, Josh (9 March 2021). "Daniel Andrews in intensive care with broken ribs and damaged vertebrae after fall on 'slippery stairs'". The Guardian. Retrieved 9 March 2021.
- Back to citation "Victorian ministers confirm resignations from Andrews government ahead of November election". ABC News. 24 June 2022.
- Back to citation "Daniel Andrews under internal pressure to get back to basics". The Age. Fairfax Media. 10 December 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- Back to citation "Emotional pleas and shocking stories as Victorian MPs debate a matter of life and death". The Age. Fairfax Media. 17 October 2017. Retrieved 12 September 2020.
- Back to citation "Election results announced". 13 December 2022.
External links
- "The Hon. James Anthony Merlino". Members of Parliament. Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 20 July 2025.