By Parker McKenzie
When Monbulk MP James Merlino announced his decision to step down from the cabinet and retire at the next state election, it came as a shock to many in the community.
Often touted as a potential successor to Premier Daniel Andrews, the former Deputy Premier and Minister for Education spoke to the Star Mail about his decision to retire, life after Parliament and what he has achieved in his two-decade-long career.
Mr Merlino said making the massive life decision was something he often discussed at the end of every term with his wife Meagan.
“It’s a commitment for four years at a time and it just got to the point where it’s going to be 20 years in November, it’s a long time,” Mr Merlino said.
“I’ve got the energy to compete right up until the election, but another four years was a big call and I feel this is the right time with Meagan’s career being just as important as mine, the age of the kids and what their up to — I know the kids are excited — it’s the right call.”
The November 26 state election will be the first time since 1999 where the ballot hasn’t featured Mr Merlino’s name, with local small business owner Daniela De Martino taking his place as the Labor candidate.
Mr Merlino said he wouldn’t be far from the contest, however, as he takes up an important role as chair of the state campaign between now and November.
“That will involve me supporting Daniela the candidate here in Monbulk but also supporting candidates right across the state, so I’m really looking forward to that role,” he said.
“I love campaigns; I love the contest of ideas and engaging with the community. It’s a different role but I’m looking forward to that over the next five months.”
After being elected in 2002, he has served under three Labor Premiers —John Brumby, Steve Bracks and Mr Andrews — and has been Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services and Minister for Education throughout his time in parliament.
Mr Merlino said there have been changes in the Monbulk electorate to be proud of, but he’s also proud of what has stayed the same over his 20 years as a MP.
“I look around our community and school upgrades, the sport and recreational upgrades, the Olinda precinct which has just been amazing and the community facilities such as Burrinja. This is a great community,” he said.
“We’ve also protected what we love in the Dandenong Ranges, which is the beautiful environment. An achievement is also no change in that space, we haven’t lost that. One of the things we introduced when I was a member of the Bracks government was Green Wedge protection and that has worked.”
Mr Merlino became Deputy Premier and Minister for Education in 2014 and served in these roles throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. He also led the state as Acting-Premier when Mr Andrews was injured in March 2021.
He said negative public discourse has been amplified through social media in recent years to the detriment of the general public, who instead want to see federal and state governments work together to deliver for the local community.
“That has contributed to a lowering of the standards and more vitriol, partisanship and extreme views getting airtime. That’s not just in Victoria and Australia, but people with extreme views have an elevated opportunity to get their extreme views out in the public,” he said.
“We’ve all got a role to play. People personally, politicians and the media. I’m an optimist; I’m not a pessimist so I think we can get there. That’s why I enjoy the engagement on ideas and the contest of ideas and trying to do it as respectfully as possible.”
When asked about his greatest achievements throughout his time in government, Mr Merlino said he was proud to have saved Lilydale TAFE.
“It was a key election commitment in 2014, and it was amazing to finally remove the padlocks on the gate and welcome local students back on campus,” he said.
“My dream was to be the Education Minister. To have that role for almost eight years has been an absolute joy. Building new schools and upgrading schools right across the state, supporting our most vulnerable kids, introducing the new VCE Vocational Major — which starts next year —there’s a whole range of things in education that I’m really proud of,
“The other one that comes to mind at a state-wide level is the Mental Health Royal Commission. It was huge to be responsible for the first two years of that 10-year reform. It is absolutely transformational work and if we get it right it will save 1000s of lives.”
Mr Merlino said most of all it has been an honour and a privilege to be the local Member of Parliament for Monbulk over a significant period of time.
“I live in the hills, I love the hills, I love my community and I want to thank them for their support over a long period of time,” he said.
“You can’t get everything right in government, but I’ve done my best for the community and want to thank them for the opportunity.”
