Greek-Australian politician and Labor Party member Jenny Mikakos was sworn as Minister for Families, Children and Youth Affairs in Daniel Andrews’ Victorian state cabinet, on Thursday, December 4.
After the elections on Saturday, November 29, Premier Daniel Andrews set a new national record by entrusting nine out of a total of 22 ministries to female politicians.
Mikakos will be the first female Minister of Greek origins to serve in a state or federal parliament in Australia.
“I’m honored to be the first Greek-Australian female Minister,” said Mikakos after the ceremony. She stated that her appointment as Minister in the Victorian state cabinet was a historical moment for Australia’s Greek Diaspora. Furthermore, she hopes that her achievement will encourage more Greek-Australian women to take on leadership roles.
The Greek Community of Melbourne expressed their joy for Mikakos’ ascension to a ministerial post, while the Greek Ambassador to Australia, Haris Dafaranos, stated: “I salute her as a personality and it is with a great sense of pride that I acknowledge her place in history as the first female Australian Minister of Greek heritage.”
Before the Victorian state elections, Mikakos was part of the Labor Party opposition, where she served as the Shadow Minister for Community Services, Shadow Minister for Children, and Shadow Minister for Seniors and Ageing.
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