General News
15 April, 2026
Gayle Tierney announces retirement
MEMBER for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney will not contest the 2026 Victorian Election after announcing her retirement on Monday.
Ms Tierney has served the region since being elected in 2006 following a successful stint as the first female State Secretary of the Vehicle Division of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union.
Since joining Parliament she has served in a number of ministries including stints as Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Water, Minister for Regional Development and Minister for Higher Education.
Ms Tierney said her decision was not an easy one as serving as minister across a broad range of portfolios had been “both humbling and incredibly fulfilling”.
“One of the greatest privileges of my career has been leading the Skills and TAFE portfolio over that entire period – allowing us to deliver the deep reform needed to rebuild from the ground up,” she said.
“We rebuilt a system that had literally been destroyed under the previous Coalition Government. We restored confidence, strengthened public provision, and put students, industry and communities back at the centre of vocational education – including through the delivery of 45 new and upgraded TAFE campuses across Victoria.
“We have transformed vocational education – making it more relevant to the modern economy and more accessible to people from all walks of life. Through Free TAFE, we haven’t just opened doors – we changed the system.
“In the last Parliamentary sitting week, we embedded Free TAFE into law and have ensured funding of public provision and access to training is protected for generations to come. This cannot be undone with the flick of a pen.
“Importantly, we have also positioned TAFE at the centre of Victoria’s future – delivering training in the areas that matter most, including the housing and construction, renewable energy and digital skills workforces our state needs.”
Ms Tierney said she was proud of what the Labor Government had achieved in Western Victoria during her time.
“Having completed my primary and secondary education in regional and rural schools, that lived experience has shaped my approach and reinforced the importance of strong regional voices in everything we do,” she said.
“From new specialist schools across the region – from Portland through to Colac – to major investments in education and training at the South West TAFE and The Gordon, including the Centre of Excellence for Disability Inclusion, the culinary school and the expansion of trade training facilities.
“From landmark projects like the Nyaal Banyul Convention and Event Centre, to community infrastructure like the Warrnambool Library and Warrnambool Hospital, improved rail services, upgraded sporting facilities and continued investment in health and community services.
“We’ve backed regional communities with real investment – not just promises – and I am proud to be part of a government that understands the strength and potential of regional Victoria.”
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan expressed her appreciation for all Ms Tierney had achieved over the years.
“Gayle Tierney has served in elected office for 36 years, and during that time has achieved so much fighting for working people,” she said.
“As a minister for almost a decade in a variety of roles, it was her work leading the restoration of skills and TAFE in Victoria, after being destroyed by State and Federal Liberal Governments, that meant so much to me.
“Free TAFE will mean more Victorians can continue to retrain, upskill and access secure work.
“Prior to this she was the first female State Secretary of the Vehicle Division of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, and also the Federal President.
“During this period she was also an Executive member of the Australian Council of Trade Unions.”