Ben Carroll Becomes Victoria’s New Premier After Jacinta Allan Steps Down

MELBOURNE, July 28: Victoria has entered a new political chapter after Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was unanimously elected as the new leader of the Victorian Labor Party, becoming the state’s new Premier. The leadership transition follows the resignation of outgoing Premier Jacinta Allan, who stepped aside just minutes before a planned party-room vote after facing an internal leadership challenge.

Outgoing Premier Jacinta Allan announces her resignation, saying party unity and stability ahead of the state election were her priority. Photo: Collected

The Labor caucus meeting on Tuesday morning was marked by intense negotiations. While Ben Carroll had initially been expected to secure the leadership comfortably, Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny entered the contest at the last minute, creating several hours of uncertainty. At one stage, discussions even turned to the possibility of appointing an interim leader.

Following lengthy negotiations aimed at preserving party unity, Kilkenny withdrew from the contest, allowing Carroll to be elected unopposed as Labor leader. During the same caucus meeting, Gabrielle Williams was unanimously elected as the party’s Deputy Leader and will serve as Victoria’s new Deputy Premier.

Soon after his election, Carroll travelled to Government House, where he was sworn in as Premier of Victoria. In his first address, he pledged to restore public confidence in the government and provide a fresh direction for the state. He said his administration would prioritise integrity, community safety, and economic growth while focusing on delivering better outcomes for Victorians.

Announcing her resignation, Jacinta Allan said she had been prepared to contest the leadership ballot and remained confident of winning. However, with the state election only four months away, she believed that a prolonged leadership contest would create unnecessary uncertainty for both the government and the people of Victoria.

Allan pledged her full support to Ben Carroll, stressing that maintaining party unity was now the most important priority. Reflecting on her time as Premier, she highlighted key achievements of her government, including the construction of new schools and hospitals, expanded public transport services, improvements to women’s healthcare, and progress on the Melbourne Metro project. She said she was proud of what her government had accomplished during her leadership.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also welcomed the leadership transition, expressing confidence in the Victorian Labor Government and saying the state remained well placed to continue its development agenda under the new leadership.

The Opposition, however, criticised the leadership change, describing it as evidence of internal instability within the Victorian Labor Government ahead of the upcoming election.

Political analysts believe the leadership transition, only months before Victorians head to the polls, has reshaped the state’s political landscape. Ben Carroll now faces the challenge of uniting the Labor Party, rebuilding public confidence, and leading the government into what is expected to be a highly contested state election.