Jacinta Allan declares she’s a ‘fighter’ amid new poll shock and leadership rumblings

A defiant Jacinta Allan has declared herself a “fighter” and vowed to remain in the state’s top job after it was revealed Labor powerbrokers are considering a change in leadership.

A defiant Jacinta Allan has declared herself a “fighter” and vowed to remain Premier in the wake of disastrous polling that has laid bare her unpopularity with Victorian voters.

The polling from bipartisan firm Redbridge, obtained exclusively by the Herald Sun, showed Ms Allan’s favourability has dropped to a record low -35, the lowest of any political leader in the nation.

The Herald Sun also revealed Labor powerbrokers have been in talks for weeks about a leadership change, with Ms Allan set to face pressure to step down if the party is hit hard in Victoria at the upcoming federal election.

But responding to the fallout of the bruising polling, which has only fuelled speculation about her political future, Ms Allan said she wasn’t going anywhere.

“I’m going to leave the commentary to others because I am working so incredibly hard with my colleagues and my focus is absolutely firmly on what’s important to Victorian people,” she said.

Ms Allan was flanked by backbench MPs as she declared herself a ‘fighter’ on Thursday. Picture: Diego Fedele

In a bid to present a united force on Thursday, Ms Allan was flanked by three backbench MPs as she dodged questions while spruiking the benefits of the Metro Tunnel project which is set to open later this year.

Ms Allan said she wouldn’t reconsider her job even if federal Labor lost a significant number of seats in next month’s election.

“Well firstly no, and secondly there is a federal election underway where what we are seeing is federal Labor having the opportunity to say very clearly to the Victorian community what it stands for ... we’re also seeing in contrast what Peter Dutton is offering Victoria,” she said.

Asked if she would be prepared to stand down if she lost the support of her Labor caucus, Ms Allan insisted she still had their backing.

“Firstly that is a hypothetical and I think secondly my colleagues know, and that’s why they did support me in this role in 2023, they know that I’m a fighter and I’m focused on those things that Labor governments focus on,” she said.

Ms Allan was quizzed on whether she still had the support of the entire caucus, including members of the right faction, where deputy Premier Ben Carroll hails from.

“I know I have the support of my colleagues,” she said.

“We’re all focused on the same thing, not this commentary ... We are all focused on working with our communities.”

In the event that her caucus wanted a new leader, Ms Allan refused to say whether she would step aside amicably or instead force a potentially damaging leadership challenge.

Instead, she responded: “I am firmly focused on working on what matters to Victorian families.”

Ms Allan says she won’t reconsider her job even if federal Labor loses a significant number of seats in next month’s election. Picture: David Crosling

Asked if she accepted that her brand was unpopular with Victorians, Ms Allan said: “I’m going to leave commentary to others because what I am focused on, and what I am focused on every single day, is focused on delivering what working people and families need from a Labor government.”

Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams, who has been touted as a potential replacement, said she hadn’t been sounded out by any colleagues to push for leadership.

Asked whether she aspired to be Premier one day, Ms Williams said: “I’m very happy with the job I’ve got.”

Former premier Steve Bracks on Thursday publicly threw his support behind Ms Allan.

“I firmly support the leadership of Jacinta Allan and believe she is best able to win an historic fourth term for Labor,” he said.

But four senior Labor sources, speaking to the Herald Sun anonymously, were adamant that Mr Bracks had in private made clear his growing acceptance of a potential leadership change.

Originally published as Jacinta Allan declares she’s a ‘fighter’ amid new poll shock and leadership rumblings