Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan resigns, Ben Carroll to take top job

Jacinta Allan has resigned as Premier of Victoria this morning, ending months of internal Labor Party pressure driven by sustained poor polling and voter frustration over cost of living, state debt, and corruption revelations linked to major infrastructure projects.

Allan’s resignation came just ahead of a Labor caucus spill motion Allan was expected to lose, and four months out from the 28 November Victorian State Election.

Leadership transitions are rarely tidy, and today’s caucus meeting quickly descended into a chaotic and brutal contest for Labor’s future.

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, who was widely tipped to be elected leader unopposed, unexpectedly faced a dramatic challenge from Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny. A close factional and personal ally of Allan, Kilkenny threatened to force a leadership ballot of rank-and-file Labor members, a process that would have taken weeks.

Instead, after a heated debate heard through the halls of Parliament, Kilkenny withdrew her candidacy with only minutes until the bells rang for Question Time.

Senior Minister Gabrielle Williams will become Carroll’s deputy, and a Cabinet reshuffle is imminent.

With a dwindling number of weeks until the government enters the caretaker period, Premier Carroll will be left with little time to reset Labor’s position before Victorians walk into voting booths.

Key impacts

• Election-year urgency intensifies – with the election just four months away and Labor trailing in the polls against a re-energised Coalition and a resurgent One Nation, expect a compressed, high-tempo policy environment as the new leadership looks to reset the narrative quickly.
• Policy and governance shifts around the Big Build and integrity – Carroll has reportedly signalled he would establish a Royal Commission into corruption surrounding the Big Build; a smart political move giving Labor control over any terms of reference.That’s a significant departure from Allan’s approach and would immediately reshape the government’s relationship with construction industry stakeholders, unions, and Big Build contractors – a live issue for anyone doing public affairs work in infrastructure or construction in Victoria.

• Ministerial relationships in flux – a Cabinet reshuffle is expected imminently. Stakeholders should reassess key contacts and be ready to rebuild relationships with new or reshuffled ministers and advisers over the coming weeks. A big turnover of staff is expected, particularly in the central offices of the Premier and Treasurer.

We’re monitoring developments closely, including the shape of the new ministry, and will keep you informed as positions are finalised. Please reach out if you’d like a tailored read on how this affects your specific engagement priorities.

Contact us

Reach out to our team in Melbourne if you would like to discuss the latest Victorian political updates and what it means for you.

Feyi Akindoyeni, Founding Partner – [email protected]

Nick Maher, Partner – [email protected]

Rebecca Johnson, Account Director – [email protected]