Jaclyn Symes

The Honourable
Jaclyn Symes
MLC
The Honourable Jaclyn Symes MLC
Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 23 March 2020
Premier	Daniel Andrews; Jacinta Allan
Preceded by	Gavin Jennings
Minister for Emergency Services
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 23 August 2021
Premier	Daniel Andrews; Jacinta Allan
Preceded by	Lisa Neville
55th Attorney-General of Victoria
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 22 December 2020
Premier	Daniel Andrews; Jacinta Allan
Preceded by	Jill Hennessy
Minister for Resources
	In office; 29 November 2018 – 23 August 2021
Premier	Daniel Andrews
Preceded by	Tim Pallas
Succeeded by	Jaala Pulford
Minister for Regional Development
	In office; 29 November 2018 – 22 December 2020
Premier	Daniel Andrews
Preceded by	Jaala Pulford
Succeeded by	Mary-Anne Thomas
Minister for Agriculture
	In office; 29 November 2018 – 22 December 2020
Premier	Daniel Andrews
Preceded by	Jaala Pulford
Succeeded by	Mary-Anne Thomas
Member of the Victorian Legislative Council for Northern Victoria Region
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 29 November 2014
Personal details
Born	Benalla, Victoria, Australia
Political party	Labor Party
Alma mater	Deakin University
Website	www.jaclynsymes.com.au

Jaclyn Symes is an Australian politician and Attorney-General of the state of Victoria. She is a Labor member of the Victorian Legislative Council, having represented Northern Victoria Region since 2014.^[1]

Symes worked for five years as a ministerial advisor for Rob Hulls, the Victorian Deputy Premier and Attorney-General. When the Labor Party lost government in 2010, Symes transferred to Hulls' electoral office. In 2011, she became pregnant and applied for maternity leave entitlements accrued during her employment with the Department of Premier and Cabinet, but was informed that as she was now employed by the Parliament of Victoria, she could not access the entitlement without dispensation from the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. The Speaker, Ken Smith, declined the request, and the matter was referred to the Fair Work Commission by the Community and Public Sector Union.^[2] Premier Ted Baillieu intervened and referred the matter to the Public Sector Standards Commissioner to resolve any inconsistencies in the government's employment policies.^[3]

In November 2018, Symes was appointed as Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Regional Development and Minister for Resources. In March 2020, Symes became the Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council.

On 22 December 2020, Symes was appointed the new Attorney-General of Victoria, replacing Jill Hennessy, who had stepped down from the ministry to spend more time with her teenage daughters as they went through high school.^[4] In August 2021, Symes was appointed as Minister for Emergency Services but relinquished her resources portfolio.^[5]

Symes completed a Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University in 2002.^[6]

Symes is a member of the Australian Workers Union component of the Victorian Labor Right.^[7]

References

^ Green, Antony. "Northern Victoria Region". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
^ Savage, Alison (25 March 2011). "ALP staffer denied maternity leave by speaker". ABC News. Retrieved 19 December 2014.
^ Jenkins, Melissa (24 March 2011). "Baillieu intervenes on maternity leave". Retrieved 19 December 2014.
^ Willingham, Richard (22 December 2020). "Jaclyn Symes sworn in to replace Jill Hennessy as Victorian Attorney-General". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
^ "Member Profile - The Hon. Jaclyn Symes". Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
^ "The Hon. Jaclyn Symes". Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 20 December 2020.
^ Ilanbey, Sumeyya; Sakkal, Paul. "Andrews boosts internal grip on power, two ministers in firing line for demotion". The Age. Retrieved 3 December 2022.

Political offices
Preceded by Jaala Pulford	Minister for Regional Development 2018–2020	Succeeded by Mary-Anne Thomas
Preceded by Jaala Pulford	Minister for Agriculture 2018–2020	Succeeded by Mary-Anne Thomas
Preceded by Tim Pallas	Minister for Resources 2018–2021	Succeeded by Jaala Pulford
Preceded by Jill Hennessy	Attorney-General 2020–present	Incumbent
Preceded by Lisa Neville	Minister for Emergency Services 2021–present	Incumbent

[1] Green, Antony. "Northern Victoria Region". Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

[abc1-2] Savage, Alison (25 March 2011). "ALP staffer denied maternity leave by speaker". ABC News. Retrieved 19 December 2014.

[smh-3] Jenkins, Melissa (24 March 2011). "Baillieu intervenes on maternity leave". Retrieved 19 December 2014.

[4] Willingham, Richard (22 December 2020). "Jaclyn Symes sworn in to replace Jill Hennessy as Victorian Attorney-General". ABC News. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 19 June 2021.

[5] "Member Profile - The Hon. Jaclyn Symes". Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 8 March 2022.

[6] "The Hon. Jaclyn Symes". Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 20 December 2020.

[7] Ilanbey, Sumeyya; Sakkal, Paul. "Andrews boosts internal grip on power, two ministers in firing line for demotion". The Age. Retrieved 3 December 2022.

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