Cindy McLeish

Lucinda Gaye "Cindy" McLeish (born 26 April 1962) is an Australian politician, and has been a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 2010, representing Seymour until 2014 and Eildon thereafter. She served as the Deputy Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party from December 2018 to September 2021 under Michael O'Brien, after the 2018 state election, and was replaced by David Southwick after a leadership spill.

Early life, personal life, and pre-political career McLeish was born and raised in Yea, in the north of the electorate, growing up on the family farm. She said her family had been in the area since the early 1840s. Her mother had the Railway Hotel (now the Peppercorn) in Yea for many years.

After completing high school in Yea, McLeish attended University of Melbourne and completed a Bachelor of Science and a Diploma of Education, this was followed by a Graduate Diploma in counseling, after which she was able to register as a Psychologist. McLeish, before entering parliament, worked also had experience working as a teacher. and worked in the area of organisational effectiveness and leadership capability at Right Management prior to becoming elected.

Political career McLeish had just 18 days as Liberal candidate for the 2010 state election after replacing Mike Laker, who stepped down at the end of October citing personal reasons.

Following the Napthine Coalition Government's defeat at the 2014 Victorian State Election, McLeish was appointed Shadow Assistant Minister for Communities & Volunteers.

In December 2018, McLeish was elected unopposed as Deputy Leader of the Victorian Liberal Party taking on roles as Shadow Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Regional Cities. She was replaced by David Southwick in September 2021.

From September 2017, McLeish has continually served in various Shadow Ministerial roles, and is currently serving as the Shadow Minister for Crime Prevention since January 2025 and Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence and Shadow Minister for Women since December 2022.