Jacinta Allan: The woman chosen to lead Victoria

Victoria’s Premier elect got her political chops rallying against a Showgirls lap-dance venue in her hometown and comes from a hearty Labor pedigree.

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Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan was part of the country ALP team that helped tip Jeff Kennett out of office in 1999, and has been sparring with Liberals ever since.

At the time she was elected to the seat of Bendigo East, at the age of 25, she was the youngest woman to secure a seat at State Parliament.

Her Labor pedigree was strong; her grandfather Bill was Bendigo Trades Hall president and her parents, Glenda and Peter, were strong supporters of the party and the labour movement.

Before she was elected she worked for federal Labor MPs including Steve Gibbons, but rose to prominence in the local community in the late ’90s when rallying against a Showgirls lap-dance venue in her hometown.

After just three years at Spring St she was promoted to Cabinet by Steve Bracks, and has remained on Labor’s front bench ever since.

Jacinta Allan is firming as the next Premier of Victoria. Picture: Brendan Beckett

Describing herself as the “daughter of workers” during her inaugural speech, she is known for being a hard-nosed pragmatist.

Under Steve Bracks and John Brumby, she had prominent roles in jobs and regional development portfolios, earning a reputation for her relentless work ethic.

During this time she married former AWU secretary Ben Davis, before the young ALP power couple separated later that decade.

She later married former ministerial adviser Yorick Piper, and went on to have two children.

When Daniel Andrews took over as leader she played a crucial role as manager of opposition business, with her combative approach endearing her to some and creating enemies of others.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan watches as Premier Daniel Andrews announces his retirement. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

She was later tasked with leading the Big Build in government, and became one of Mr Andrews’s most trusted lieutenants with a focus on infrastructure and jobs, leaving the socially progressive agenda to others in the party’s left wing.

Allies and opponents note similarities between Mr Andrews and Ms Allan, particularly with the way they run their office and deal with the public service.

When Mr Andrews’s long-time deputy premier James Merlino retired last year, the premier declared that he wanted Ms Allan to take over the coveted position, much to the chagrin of some ALP factional figures.

Despite their anger, most agreed she was the most qualified to take the reins, while some said that it did not assure her as an heir apparent when the premier retired.

On Tuesday, when Mr Andrews announced he was leaving parliament, he declined to back Ms Allan publicly but heavily favours her to take over.

If she does, Ms Allan would become Victoria’s second female premier after Joan Kirner – a woman who Ms Allan noted in her inaugural speech had helped introduce reforms without which “I would not be here today”.

Originally published as Jacinta Allan: The woman chosen to lead Victoria