James has been a Director on the Rest Board since 1 January 2023, and was appointed Independent Chair on 1 January 2023.
Experience
James has more than 20 years’ experience in government, politics and public administration at both the state and local level, including eight years as the Deputy Premier of Victoria in the Labor Government from 2014 to 2022. During his time in government, he oversaw multi-billion dollar projects and was responsible for the biggest school building program in Victoria’s history via the Victorian School Building Authority. He was also Acting Premier of Victoria for four months in 2021, managing the state’s ongoing response to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
James represented the electoral division of Monbulk in the Victorian Legislative Assembly from 2002 to 2022, and held a number of Ministerial portfolios, cabinet positions and parliamentary appointments during his tenure, including Minister for Education from 2014 to 2022 and Minister for Mental Health from 2020 to 2022, and Minister for Emergency Services from 2016 to 2018.
Current Directorships
Chair and Director of Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Limited
Director of Hawthorn Football Club Limited
Director of Hawthorn Football Club Land Pty Ltd
Chair of Suburban Rail Loop Authority (Victoria)
Chair of Victorian Catholic Education Authority
Director of Super Members Council of Australia
Director of Super Members Council of Australia Operations Pty Ltd