Five months after the December state government elections in Victoria, it seems the motto for the Baillieu government is "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
Remarkably few major restructuring programs have been undertaken by the new government, throwing into sharp relief the aggressive policies of the O'Farrell Coalition government north of the border. Both new Premiers unseated once-stable Labor governments to take the thrones of Australia's two most populous states within a few months of each other, but it seems there the comparison ends. 
Premier Baillieu's approach to governance appears to be less distant from his predecessor's, and a dearth of Machinery-of-Government changes has ensued. There have been, however, a small number of significant changes.
Following widespread public controversy over the recent performance of Victoria Police Commissioner Simon Overland, the Baillieu government has announced a review into the senior command structure of the Victoria Police. New Premier Ted Baillieu commented on the review: “We have confidence in the chief commissioner and this inquiry, we believe, will assist Victoria Police to ensure that command structures are in place in the future which will allow Victoria Police to satisfy community expectations and deliver on the functions that they are required to deliver.”
The federal government’s plan to extract $1.9 billion from health insurance has lead to an industry-commissioned report which found that there would be a flight of 1.8 million people from health insurance over five years. In the broader health system, Minister David Davis has fallen into line with other states by announcing a plan to fall into line with the Federal Government's long-term National Health Reform agenda. We are unlikely to see, however, immediate structural changes as were rushed through in the dying days of New South Wales's Keneally government.
In other news, the $200 million Australian Synchrotron is under threat of closure as one of Melbourne’s leading innovation hubs as well as the state’s international reputation as a research facility after the Bailieu government failed to continue funding the research facility. The closure will affect the 2500 scientists housed there as well as the world important discoveries it has unraveled in the past.
''I understand its scientific value, but it will have to go through the budget and expenditure review committee process,'' Ms Asher, Innovation Minister, said. The future of the Australian Synchrotron hangs in the balance as Ms Asher plans to visit the site next week.
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