Jaclyn Symes has scored a major promotion to the recently vacated role of Victorian Attorney General following the surprise retirement of Jill Hennessy.
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Labor's leader in the Victorian Upper House, Ms Symes was sworn into the role on Tuesday as part of a mini reshuffle announced by Premier Daniel Andrews.
She previously had the agricultural and regional development portfolios which have been handed to new Cabinet minister and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas, who grew up in Wodonga and attended Wodonga High School.
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Ms Thomas was first elected to parliament in 2014.
Benalla-born Ms Symes also retains her resources portfolio, but one of the key tasks in her role as Attorney General will be dealing with the fallout from the recent Lawyer X Royal Commission.
She was back on the border on Monday following the Victorian government's decision to shut the border to Greater Sydney and Central Coast residents, leading to long delays at hastily arranged checkpoints in Albury-Wodonga.
Before being elected to parliament in 2014 as the Member for Northern Victoria, Ms Symes worked for former Deputy Premier and Attorney General, Rob Hulls.
"Not only does Jaclyn have the necessary skills and background, she has a fierce commitment to carry on the work of reforming our justice system that I know makes her right for this role," Mr Andrews said.
"She will also continue in her responsibilities as Leader of the Government in the Legislative Council and Minister for Resources."
Ms Symes was a regular visitor to the North-East during the summer bushfires and a major focus of the agriculture portfolio this year has been ensure farmers could cross the border for harvest.
