Martin Foley (politician)

Martin Peter Foley (born 17 May 1962) is a former Australian politician. He was a Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly between 2007 and 2022, representing Albert Park. He was the Minister for Equality in the First and Second Andrews Ministry between December 2014 and June 2022 and the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services between September 2020 and June 2022. He was previously the Minister for Mental Health and Minister for Creative Industries prior to September 2020.

The Honourable
Martin Foley
MP
Foley in 2022
Minister for Health
Minister for Ambulance Services
In office
26 September 2020 – 27 June 2022
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byJenny Mikakos
Succeeded byMary-Anne Thomas
Minister for Equality
In office
4 December 2014 – 27 June 2022
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byNew Ministry
Succeeded byHarriet Shing
Minister for Mental Health
In office
4 December 2014 – 29 September 2020
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byMary Wooldridge
Succeeded byJames Merlino
Minister for Creative Industries
In office
4 December 2014 – 29 September 2020
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byNew Ministry
Succeeded byDanny Pearson
Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing
In office
4 December 2014 – 29 November 2018
PremierDaniel Andrews
Preceded byWendy Lovell (Housing)
Mary Wooldridge (Disability)
Succeeded byRichard Wynne (Housing)
Luke Donnellan (Disability and Ageing)
Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
for Albert Park
In office
15 September 2007 – 26 November 2022
Preceded byJohn Thwaites
Succeeded byNina Taylor
Personal details
Born (1962-05-17) 17 May 1962
Mornington, Victoria
Political partyLabor Party
Alma materUniversity of Melbourne
Monash University
Websitewww.martinfoley.com.au

Early life

Foley was born in Mornington. He was awarded a Bachelor of Arts (history and politics) in 1987 from Monash University and received a Master of Commerce in 2000 from the University of Melbourne. From 1988–2003, he worked with the Australian Services Union before becoming chief of staff to the state Minister for Agriculture. In 2006, he became Chief of Staff to the Minister for Police.[1]

Political career

In 2007, Foley was elected to the Legislative Assembly following his preselection as the Labor candidate for the seat of Albert Park in the by-election which resulted from Deputy Premier John Thwaites's resignation.[1] With the defeat of the Brumby Government in December 2010 and the appointment of Daniel Andrews as the new leader of the Labor Party, Foley became a Parliamentary Secretary to various Opposition Shadow Ministers until in late 2013, Foley was appointed as Shadow Minister for Water, Arts & Youth Affairs and Shadow Minister assisting the Leader of the Opposition on Equality.[2]

Following the election of the Andrews Labor Government at the November 2014 election, Foley was appointed to Cabinet as Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Equality and Minister for Creative Industries. He lost his housing and disability portfolios following the 2018 state election.

On 26 September 2020, following the resignation of Victorian health minister Jenny Mikakos that morning, Victorian premier Daniel Andrews announced that Foley would be her replacement as health minister. Foley was sworn in as the Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services later that day.[3] His portfolios of creative industries and mental health were taken over by Danny Pearson and James Merlino three days later on 29 September 2020.[4]

In June 2022, Foley announced he would retire at the November state election, wanting to spend more time with his family.[5] He stepped down from his ministerial roles on 27 June 2022.

References
  1. "Martin Foley (Albert Park)". Members Information. Parliament of Victoria. Retrieved 20 December 2011.
  2. "Opposition Leader Daniel Andrews announces front bench reshuffle". Herald Sun. 19 December 2013. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  3. "Victorian mental health minister Martin Foley replaces health minister Jenny Mikakos following resignation". SBS News. 26 September 2020. Retrieved 26 September 2020.
  4. "Ingrid Stitt joins Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews' ministry following departure of Jenny Mikakos". ABC News. 29 September 2020. Retrieved 29 September 2020.
  5. "Victorian ministers confirm resignations from Andrews government ahead of November election". ABC News. 24 June 2022.

[1]

  1. "Member Profile - the Hon. Martin Foley".
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