Victoria has its first woman as premier in 30 years, with Jacinta Allan chosen by Labor to replace Daniel Andrews.
Ms Allan ran for leader of the Victorian Labor Party at a caucus meeting on Wednesday after Daniel Andrews’ shock resignation less than 24 hours before.
Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll was chosen as deputy.
“It is such a deep honour and privilege to be in the position to be heading to Government House and to be sworn in as premier of Victoria,” Ms Allan told reporters.
“Twenty-four years ago, almost to the day when I walked into this place as a much younger woman from regional Victoria, I never expected to have this length of service or indeed to be able to have had the honour and privilege of serving the Victorian community in various ministerial roles.
“I pledge to continue to work incredibly hard as I have done each and every day.”
The Bendigo East MP will be Victoria’s second female leader and the first Labor premier from regional Victoria in almost 100 years.
Ms Allan became the youngest woman elected to Victoria’s parliament in 1999 at the age of 25, and the state’s youngest minister in history in 2002 at the age of 29.
She took over as Mr Andrews’ deputy and presumed successor in June 2022 and most recently served as minister for transport infrastructure and the suburban rail loop project.
She was also charged with delivering the now-cancelled 2026 Commonwealth Games until the portfolio was abolished.
Wednesday’s caucus meeting started late after Mr Carroll threw his hat in the ring for the leadership.
But Ms Allan emerged from the meeting with the numbers to become premier, avoiding the matter going to a vote by membership.
“All positions have been elected unopposed,” Box Hill MP and the party’s returning officer Paul Hamer told reporters.
“The new premier is Jacinta Allan, the deputy premier is Ben Carroll.”
The new ministerial cabinet spot left by Mr Andrews’ departure will be filled by Eltham MP Vicki Ward.
By Rachael Ward in Melbourne
The new wave of Labor leaders to govern Victoria
Jacinta Allan has been named Victoria’s premier-elect while Ben Carroll will take on the deputy premiership. Who are the state’s new leaders?
Premier – Jacinta Allan
* Most recently Victoria’s deputy premier, transport and infrastructure minister and Suburban Rail Loop minister
* Always the clear favourite to become Daniel Andrews’ successor
* The state’s first female premier in more than three decades after Joan Kirner stepped down in 1992
* Put up for the role of premier by the Labor party’s socialist left faction
* Holds the electorate of Bendigo East
* Worked in the political offices of Bendigo MPs Steve Gibbons and Neil O’Keefe before elected to parliament
* Became the youngest woman elected to Victoria’s parliament in 1999 at the age of 25
* Became the state’s youngest minister in history in 2002 aged 29
* Held several portfolios including education services, women’s affairs, regional and rural development and major projects
* Became deputy premier in June 2022
* Charged with delivering the now-cancelled Victorian 2026 Commonwealth Games until the portfolio was abolished earlier this year
* Grew up in Bendigo where she lives with her husband and two children
Deputy Premier – Ben Carroll
* Most recently Victoria’s public transport minister, employment minister, industry and innovation minister and manufacturing sovereignty minister
* A late challenger for the role of premier after it was earlier thought Ms Allan would run unopposed
* Ultimately appointed as Ms Allan’s deputy
* Put up by the party’s right faction for the leadership roles
* Holds the electorate of Niddrie
* A policy advisor and lawyer before he entered parliament
* Elected as the member for Niddrie in 2012 before he became parliamentary secretary for justice in the new Andrews government in 2014
* Held portfolios including industry and employment, youth justice, corrections, roads and road safety and industry support and recovery
* Grew up in Airport West
By Cassandra Morgan in Melbourne
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