Victoria has a new premier after Ben Carroll was unanimously elected leader of the Victorian Labor Party following the resignation of Jacinta Allan, just four months before the state election.
Allan stepped down on Tuesday, saying she was making the decision in the best interests of the Labor Party and the people of Victoria. Although she believed she could have won a leadership ballot, she said a prolonged contest would have wasted valuable time ahead of the election. She also pledged her "unqualified support" for Carroll.
Carroll, who had been serving as Deputy Premier, said he was "honoured and humbled" to be chosen as the state's new leader. He promised to provide a "new direction" for Victoria and warned that current polling suggested Labor risked losing government to a Liberal–One Nation coalition.
The leadership change follows months of speculation over Allan's future amid declining opinion polls, concerns over crime, and ongoing controversy surrounding alleged corruption linked to Victoria's multi-billion-dollar Big Build infrastructure program. Allan has apologised for criminal conduct uncovered in the projects but had resisted calls for a royal commission.
Carroll is understood to support a royal commission into the allegations and has also pledged to improve the state's economic performance, resolve the ongoing dispute with public school teachers, and strengthen support for Victorian businesses.
At the same Labor caucus meeting, Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams was unanimously elected Deputy Leader of the Victorian Labor Party.
Carroll is expected to announce his new ministry in the coming days as Labor prepares for the November 2026 Victorian state election.
