Victoria's opposition will turn a surge in violent crime into a three-pronged attack against the government as the party struggles to find momentum into next year's election.
Opposition Leader Ted Baillieu unveiled a new "crime prevention and integrity of government" portfolio on Thursday as part of a reshuffle of his Coalition shadow cabinet following a recent Newspoll in The Australian that put Labor in front of the Coalition 57 to 43 on a two-party preferred basis.
Former lawyer Andrew McIntosh has been stripped of his role as police and emergency services spokesman and handed the new crime prevention and integrity of government portfolio.
One of the coalition's best performers, Nationals Leader Peter Ryan, takes over the police and emergency services portfolio, while Robert Clark will continue as the party's shadow attorney-general.
"We're going to change the culture in this state," Mr Baillieu told reporters on Thursday.
"We're going to have a much greater focus on law and order issues."
The three positions will overlap in their criticism of the state Labor government's handling of law and order - seizing on a 5.4 per cent rise in violent assaults revealed in this year's police statistics and media attention over attacks on Indian students and alcohol-fuelled bashings.
He said the three positions will help "turn around this culture of violence ... which is destroying the reputation of our city and indeed our state", but he denied the public could become confused seeing three different people deal with the same issue.
The reshuffling of Mr Baillieu's shadow cabinet shifts eight positions and adds one new member for a cabinet size of 23.
Up and comer, Mary Wooldridge, has been promoted. She adds the key climate change and environment portfolios to her existing responsibilities for community services and mental health portfolios.
Health spokeswoman Helen Shardey, who is retiring before the November election, makes way for newcomer Ryan Smith who will enter shadow cabinet for manufacturing and industrial relations.
David Hodgett comes in as new cabinet secretary, replacing Nicholas Kotsiras who retains immigration and citizenship.
David Davis takes on Ms Shardey's health and ageing portfolio and retains his role in scrutiny of government.
Key positions of deputy leader and attorney-general will remain unchanged.
Mr Baillieu said no one was challenging him for leadership of the Coalition.
"You can speculate if you want, but it isn't right," he said. "This team is working very well together."
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