The Honourable Harriet Shing MP, the first woman elected to the Victorian Parliament to publicly share that she was a lesbian, has announced that she will not be standing for re-election in November.
Labor politician Harriet Shing won a seat in the Victorian Legislative Council in 2014. In June 2022, Premier Daniel Andrews appointed her Minister for Equality, Regional Development and Water.
On Thursday, July 30, she announced that she would be retiring from political life.
“On Tuesday afternoon, I met with Premier Carroll to advise him that I will not be standing for re-election in November and accordingly, that I will be stepping down from the Ministry,” Shing said in a statement.
“It has been an incredible honour to serve as the Member for Eastern Victoria since 2014, and as a Minister for the last four years. It has always been my view that we are custodians of these roles for the time that we have them, and it is now time for me to pass these opportunities and obligations on to the next person.”
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“None of us do these jobs alone,” she said, thanking those who made it possible for her to serve.
This included her friend and Chief of Staff Lindsay Rayner and “the truly amazing teams in my ministerial and electorate offices. We have worked so hard, and achieved so much, and we have done it together.”
‘This chapter has been the honour of my life’
Over the past four years she held a broad range of ministerial responsibilities, including Regional Development, Equality, Water, the Commonwealth Games, Housing, Development, the Suburban Rail Loop, Health and Ambulance Services.
In her statement, she thanked “and extend my respect to the exceptional frontline workers, public servants, union members, and community leaders I have had the honour of working with in my ministerial duties.”
“I am so proud of the achievements of this Labor Government. I want to thank my friends Jacinta Allan and Daniel Andrews for the opportunity to serve in their Cabinets, and alongside my Caucus colleagues over this 12-year journey.”
Victorian MPs at the passing of this morning’s bill. Photo: @ harrietshingmp/Facebook.Earlier this week Ben Carroll was announced as the new Premier of Victoria. He became the state’s 50th premier after Jacinta Allan resigned from the role. Shing “congratulated and wished Premier Carroll every success.”
“He deserves the full support, solidarity, and respect of the Cabinet, the Caucus, and our entire labour movement as he takes the Government forward and into the all-important contest against the Liberal Party and One Nation in November.”
“I have no doubt that the fight we bring to the coming months will continue to be grounded in the principles and priorities that drive all of us. The Labor values of fairness, equity, support to manage the cost of living, buy, rent or build a home, find a great job, get a truly wonderful public education, and access to free public healthcare delivered by exceptional people.”
“This chapter has been the honour of my life. I have worked hard, with and for the communities and people I have represented. And it has been a labour of love and determination.”
Harriet Shing MP at the 2025 Gippsland Pride Gala‘Thank you in particular to my partner Lissie Ratcliff’
In her statement, Minister Shing said he was “so proud to be part of policy work and reform delivered through our government’s nation-leading work.”
Outlining the voluntary assisted dying legislation, real and enduring support for LGBTIQA+ Victorians “including the banning of conversion practices and the passage of anti-vilification legislation” as well as improved water security, securing federal funding for the Suburban Rail Loop, and better protections for workers.
Image: Dean Arcuri“Thank you to my beloved family and friends who have supported me, buoyed me, accepted me exactly as I am, and fed the animals when I’ve left home too early or arrived home too late. They have provided so much care and love to me over the years, and I now hope to make it up to them in spades.”
“Finally, thank you in particular to my partner Lissie Ratcliff – for everything. Including an extremely reluctant agreement to add a pair of donkeys to the family on top of all of those dogs. I’m looking forward to spending more time with you all before my next chapter begins. The work we do here really matters. And that work goes on.”
She leaves Victoria a fairer place
Premier Caroll said in a statement that Harriet Shing “leaves Victoria a fairer place.”
“Throughout her time in Cabinet, Harriet has taken on some of the Government’s most demanding portfolios and delivered lasting reforms. She has led work to reshape Victoria — improving access to housing, delivering major transport and urban renewal projects, strengthening water security and supporting regional communities, all while championing equality.”
“As Minister for Equality, Harriet championed Victoria’s LGBTIQA+ communities, and as part of the Labor team she passed new nation-leading anti-vilification and social cohesion laws to protect Victorians against hate speech.
“As Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Harriet has worked tirelessly to support our health system, our workforce and the patients who rely on them every day. This week Harriet oversaw the introduction of new legislation to enhance and protect nurse-to-patient ratios – a reform built by and now strengthened by Labor.
As Minister for Housing, Harriet oversaw the delivery of Labor’s 12,000th new social and affordable home as part of one of the most significant expansions of social and affordable housing in Victoria’s history.”
Premier Caroll thanked her “for her support and proud commitment to delivering for working people through a reforming Labor Government.”
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