New criminal justice reform and housing affordability portfolios have been created as part of the new Victorian shadow cabinet, unveiled in the wake of last month's electoral defeat.
The shadow cabinet make-up is the first major move of new party leader John Pesutto, who was narrowly elected to the role on December 7.
He replaced Bulleen MP Matthew Guy, who led the Coalition to a punishing loss for a second time at the November 26 poll.
Mr Pesutto's main challenger for the leadership, Brad Battin, will take on the role of Shadow Minister for Criminal Justice Reform alongside his existing portfolio areas of police, youth justice, crime prevention and corrections.
The Berwick MP pointed to what he called a "rotating door in the justice system", including statistics showing more than 50 per cent of people who completed a prison sentence returned to the system within two years.
He also highlighted that more than 50 per cent of people in prison had a previous mental health diagnosis, with up to 80 per cent of young people in prison experiencing a diagnosed psychological disorder.
"I look forward to working with experts in the field, academics and community-based organisations to put together reforms that deliver on improving community safety," Mr Battin said.
"These reforms will focus on prevention and working with the health sector to establish ways to work with people living with a mental health issue so we can treat them, not jail them."
The creation of the portfolio is a significant shift from the law-and-order rhetoric used by the Liberal Party in the lead-up to the 2018 poll.
A review into the loss a year later found voters rejected the focus on "African gangs" and crime because they did not feel unsafe.
Victoria's historic Yoorrook Justice Commission last week heard the state's bail laws were disproportionately criminalising Aboriginal people, especially women.
While former leader Michael O'Brien retained his role as shadow attorney-general, Mr Guy did not receive a shadow portfolio as part of the new line-up.
Mr Pesutto said he had "enormous respect" for Mr Guy and hoped the former leader would continue to play a significant role within the party.
"Even though Matthew is not in the shadow cabinet, I intend to seek his counsel when he's available and I also hope to have a discussion about how we can use his enormous wisdom and experience in the broader parliamentary party," Mr Pesutto said.
"He's going to take his time. I would love to think that in the future Matthew will play a role and I'm sure he will."
MP Ryan Smith, who challenged for the Liberal leadership alongside Mr Battin and Mr Pesutto, was also left out of the shadow cabinet.
Fresh faces including Sam Groth elevated in shuffle
Caulfield MP David Southwick was re-elected as deputy leader in the lower house at the December 7 party room meeting, while Georgie Crozier and Matt Bach were elected as leader and deputy respectively in the upper house.
Mr Bach, first elected in 2018, is one of many newer MPs to be elevated in the shadow cabinet, taking on the Education portfolio. He replaces Croydon MP David Hodgett, who was first elected in 2006 and was deputy leader from 2014 to 2018.
Former tennis pro and new MP for Nepean, Sam Groth, will take on the sport, tourism, events and youth portfolios.
The new MP for Kew, Jess Wilson, becomes Shadow Minister for Finance, Economic Reform and Regulation, Home Ownership and Housing Affordability.
She replaces Ryan Smith as shadow finance minister. Mr Smith was elected in 2006 and was one of the initial contenders for Liberal leadership before dropping out of the race and endorsing Mr Battin.
Housing affordability is a new shadow portfolio, and Ms Wilson said the party's ambition was "to reverse the generational decline in home ownership and ensure every Victorian the opportunity to enjoy the stability, continuity and financial security it brings".
Sandringham MP Brad Roswell, first elected in 2018, replaces former upper house leader and Liberal stalwart David Davis as Shadow Treasurer.
Mr Pesutto was keen to highlight the economic focus in the new shadow cabinet, which includes Mr Southwick in trade and investment and Cindy McLeish in small business.
The portfolio of Evelyn MP Bridget Vallence expands to take on manufacturing, industry, innovation, skills and training, employment and industrial relations.
New upper house member Ann-Marie Hermans becomes Shadow Minister for Emergency Services, WorkCover and TAC, joined by another new member, Evan Mullholland, who moves into the role of Shadow Cabinet Secretary.
The gender balance of the shadow cabinet remains skewed, with seven women — the same number as Mr Guy's cabinet — and 15 men taking up portfolios.
This compares to 14 women and eight men that make up the Andrews ministry.
