Brumby promises new Cabinet blood

MELBOURNE - New Victorian Premier John Brumby has promised at least one of the new ministers coming into his Cabinet will be a woman.

Elected unopposed at a Labor caucus meeting to replace retiring Premier Steve Bracks, Brumby promised a reshuffle. "I can assure you with complete confidence that at least one of the new ministers coming into the Cabinet will be a woman."

Brumby, 54, has been Treasurer for seven years. He was Labor leader in Opposition, but stepped aside for Bracks six months before the party won office in 1999.

AAP