Jacinta Allan Resigns as Premier, Ben Carroll Set to Take Over

Jacinta Allan and Ben Carroll following Allan’s resignation as Victorian Premier and Labor leader. — Jacinta Allan has resigned as Victorian Premier and Labor leader, clearing the way for Ben Carroll to take control of the government.

Jacinta Allan has resigned as Victorian Labor’s parliamentary leader and Premier, clearing the way for Deputy Premier Ben Carroll to take control of the government.

Allan announced her resignation on Tuesday morning after Labor MPs prepared to vote on a motion to spill the party’s leadership.

She will chair a caucus meeting to elect her replacement, with Carroll expected to become Labor leader and Victoria’s next Premier.

Allan Abandons Leadership Contest

Allan had previously declared she would contest the leadership if MPs supported the spill motion.

However, she reversed that decision after speaking with colleagues overnight and said stepping aside was in the interests of the Labor Party and the Victorian community.

“Should Ben Carroll emerge as our next Labor leader and Labor premier, he will have my congratulations and unqualified support.”

Her withdrawal avoids a potentially lengthy leadership ballot involving Labor MPs and rank-and-file party members.

Carroll Expected to Become Premier

Carroll confirmed on Monday that he would nominate for the leadership after a cross-factional group of Labor MPs told Allan she had lost majority support in caucus.

Ben Carroll confirmed on Monday that he would nominate for the leadership after a cross-factional group of Labor MPs told Allan she had lost majority support in caucus.

No other candidate had emerged when Allan announced her resignation, leaving Carroll positioned to secure the leadership without a contested ballot.

If caucus elects Carroll, he will replace Allan as Labor leader before formally becoming Victoria’s next Premier.

Carroll told reporters before the meeting that his immediate focus was speaking with his parliamentary colleagues.

Leadership Change Ahead of State Election

The leadership change comes about four months before Victorians vote in the November state election.

Labor MPs moved against Allan amid concerns about the government’s electoral position and growing pressure over crime, the state’s finances and allegations of criminal conduct and corruption connected to major infrastructure projects.

Allan became Premier in September 2023 following Daniel Andrews’ resignation.

She said she remained proud of her government’s record and highlighted its work on women’s health, regional communities, cost-of-living pressures and changes to Victoria’s bail laws.