My expectation is by later in the week, we will be in a position to announce further easing of restrictions for regional Victoria and ... for metropolitan Melbourne.

James Merlino

James Anthony Merlino (born 19 August 1972) is an Australian politician serving as the member for Monbulk in the Victorian Legislative Assembly, as a member of the Labor Party. He has been acting Premier of Victoria since 9 March 2021, as well as Deputy Premier of Victoria and Minister for Education since December 2014. Merlino was elected at the 2002 state election defeating Steve McArthur. Merlino comfortably retained his seat at the state election in 2006 and became the Minister for Sport and Recreation and Youth Affairs, securing a place in cabinet. Under new Premier John Brumby's government he retained that ministry and gained a new role as Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs. He subsequently became Police Minister following the resignation of the previous Minister. When the ALP lost government in the 2010 state election, Merlino became Shadow Minister for Police, the TAC and Road Safety. In February 2012, he was elected unopposed as Deputy Leader of the Labor Party in Victoria, following the resignation of Rob Hulls, becoming deputy leader of the oppositionWith the election of the Andrews Labor Government in late 2014, Merlino became Deputy Premier and Education Minister. On 10 June 2016, Merlino also became Minister for Emergency Services following the resignation of Brunswick MP Jane Garrett from the Andrews Ministry.In March 2021, Merlino became the Acting Premier of Victoria, after Daniel Andrews slipped and fell on wet stairs while on holiday on the Mornington Peninsula, suffering several broken ribs and a broken vertebra from the fall. Merlino will be Acting Premier until Andrews recovers.Merlino is a member of Labor's right faction. He is a Catholic.

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