Labor contest heats up for Hennessyâs cabinet seat Weâre sorry, this service is currently unavailable. Please try again later. Dismiss Labor contest heats up for Hennessyâs cabinet seat Save Normal text size Advertisement State Labor MP Mary-Anne Thomas has emerged as the frontrunner to fill the spot in the Andrews governmentâs cabinet left vacant by Wednesdayâs surprise resignation of attorney-general Jill Hennessy. Ms Thomas will contest a ballot of the partyâs Socialist Left caucus in the coming days against Eltham MP Vicki Ward. However, Ms Thomasâ experience as a cabinet secretary and the probable backing of Premier Daniel Andrews are expected to give her the edge.