Ben Carroll names ministry, adds new artificial intelligence portfolio

Ben Carroll adds artificial intelligence ministry to Victorian cabinet, dumps transport infrastructurePosted Tue 4 Aug 2026 at 12:20pmTue 4 Aug 2026 at 12:20pmBen Carroll took over from Jacinta Allan as Victorian Premier last week. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)In short:Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has named his new frontbench after taking the Labor leadership from Jacinta Allan last week.His ministry includes a new portfolio of Minister for Artificial Intelligence, which will be filled by former police minister Anthony Carbines.There's no longer a Minister for Transport Infrastructure and the Suburban Rail Loop.New Victorian premier Ben Carroll has announced the make-up of his new cabinet, including a new ministry dedicated to ethical and responsible artificial intelligence development.Ally of former premier Jacinta Allan, Jaclyn Symes, has lost the treasury to Colin Brooks, who will also take on industrial relations.Ms Symes has been moved to energy and resources, the State Electricity Commission, climate action and environment, while remaining the leader of the government in the Legislative Council.Sonya Kilkenny, who at one stage looked to challenge Mr Carroll for the leadership, remains attorney-general and planning minister, but will also become the new minister for prevention of family violence.Anthony Carbines hands over the police ministry to Paul Edbrooke, who will also add emergency services, crime prevention and the multicultural affairs portfolio to his swag.Anthony Carbines will become the minister for the new portfolio of artificial intelligence and digital economy. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)That allows Mr Carbines to take on the new ministry — artificial intelligence and digital economy.Mr Carroll said Mr Carbines's role would include focusing on ensuring AI developments are ethical and responsible, as well as promoting innovative digital investment.As part of Mr Carroll's plan to reduce to size of frontbench, Mr Carbines remains the racing minister and leader of the house while taking on major events, medical research and economic development.A big exclusion from Mr Carroll's government is the transport infrastructure ministry.The department has a focus of the Labor government for several years, overseeing Victoria's major rail, road, public transport and freight projects including the Metro Tunnel, the Level Crossing Removal Project and the Suburban Rail Loop.It has previously been filled by Jacinta Allan and most recently by Gabrielle Williams, who became deputy premier under the leadership change. Tim Richardson (left), was promoted to Premier Ben Carroll's cabinet on Monday. (ABC News)Ms Williams will be responsible for women and gender equality, skills and training and First Peoples.She also takes the education portfolio from Mr Carroll as the disruptive industrial relations dispute with the state's public school teachers continues.New addition to the cabinet Tim Richardson will be the minister for local government, consumer affairs and renters.