Natalie Hutchins - the Member for Sydenham and Minister for Government Services, Treaty and First Peoples, Prevention of Family Violence, and Women - has advised me she will not seek re-election in 2026.
Natalie was first elected to the Parliament in 2010 and has been a dedicated Minister for over a decade - her outstanding contribution to Victoria will leave a lasting legacy.
She puts equality at the heart of everything she does.
Born in public housing and having grown up in the western suburbs of Melbourne, she has always been a passionate advocate to create opportunities for others and has been a fierce voice for the diverse and growing communities she now represents.
She came to the Parliament from the union movement, where she was the first woman to be elected Assistant Secretary of the Victorian Trades Hall Council, and she has continued to fight for working people throughout her Parliamentary life.
She made the difficult decision to step back from the Ministry in 2018 to focus on her family, after the loss of her husband, Steve. She rejoined Cabinet in 2020 to continue making a remarkable contribution across multiple portfolios.
She stood up for vulnerable workers, including through introducing the Portable Long Service Leave scheme along with the first laws in Australia to regulate Labour Hire, family violence leave for the public sector and supporting safer workplaces for working women.
Natalie is a feminist and a big part of her legacy will be long lasting improvements for Victorian women. She has been responsible for the rollout of free pads and tampons in public places - because they're a necessity, not a luxury. She has worked to increase the representation of women at every level - as candidates, in public art, on Government boards and through the Gender Equality Act.
Recently Natalie negotiated Australia's first Treaty with First Peoples and introduced the legislation to enact that into Parliament. This work began for her in 2014 when she first became a Minister and conducted a listening tour across Victoria - the message was clear - First Peoples were calling for Treaty.
Passing legislation to deliver Australia's first treaty with First Peoples is the perfect way for her to conclude a career focussed on fighting for justice alongside First Peoples.
Along with her Ministerial responsibilities, Natalie has been a strong local voice for families and working people in Sydenham.
She has delivered new and upgraded schools, removed dangerous and congested level crossings, a new ambulance station at Taylors Lakes, a new car park for Watergardens station and better roads and public transport.
Later this year, she'll see her electorate benefit from the opening of the Metro Tunnel.
Natalie has been a champion for social justice, and has helped to make our state a better, fairer and stronger place.
I offer my sincere thanks for her service to this government, and to all Victorians.
She will continue to serve the people of Sydenham until the next election. She will remain in Cabinet until 22 December, when her ministerial responsibilities will then be allocated to other Ministers.
I wish Natalie and her family, particularly her son, Xavier, all the best for the future.
