Daniel Andrews resignation as it happened: Jacinta Allan becomes next Victorian premier; Ben Carroll declared deputy premier

Good evening, and thanks for following our live coverage of Daniel Andrews’ resignation and the negotiations to install Jacinta Allan as Victoria’s new leader.

Here is a wrap of today’s developments:

• Jacinta Allan was sworn in as Victorian premier at 5pm after a messy morning of party-room negotiations finally resulted in a deal that will install Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll as deputy.
• Premier Daniel Andrews officially resigned this evening after announcing his departure yesterday at a snap press conference after nine years as Victoria’s leader.
• At her first press conference after the Labor party-room elected her, Allan became emotional as she talked about becoming just the second woman to lead the state, after former premier Joan Kirner.

• Opposition leader John Pesutto congratulated Victoria’s new premier, but said she had avoiding talking about the state’s record debt at her first media appearance in the role.
• Outgoing premier Daniel Andrews also attended his last Labor caucus meeting on Wednesday. A byelection will be held in his seat of Mulgrave in the coming weeks.
• Our state political editor Annika Smethurst writes that the new premier has promised a different style of leadership, but that is easier said than done.
• Allan becomes premier after overseeing much of the government’s infrastructure agenda. Reporter Clay Lucas examines the debt challenge that now confronts her as state leader.

• Treasurer Tim Pallas insists he will continue to serve as part of Jacinta Allan’s government despite missing out on becoming deputy premier.

Thanks for following along with our live coverage. You can read more news, analysis and opinion in the paper tomorrow or online now.

Goodnight.

A notice in the Victorian government gazette has been issued which officially announces the state governor has accepted Daniel Andrews’ resignation as premier and has appointed Jacinta Allan as his successor.

A cabinet reshuffle of ministerial posts is expected in the coming days, which will then lead to a few more politicians driving down St Kilda Road to Government House for ceremonial proceedings.

Here are some images of Jacinta Allan officially becoming premier at a Government House ceremony this evening.

Victoria’s new Premier Jacinta Allan is sworn in by the Governor of Victoria Professor Margaret Gardner at Government House.Credit: Ian Currie

Jacinta Allan is sworn in.Credit: Ian Currie

It’s official. Jacinta Allan was sworn in as Victoria’s premier about an hour ago.

A wrap of the day’s developments, and vision of the formal ceremony at Government House, can now be seen below.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has offered his congratulations to new Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.

The federal Labor leader said on social media he enjoyed working with Allan previously on infrastructure and transport policy and was looking forward to her attending national cabinet.

A crowd has gathered on the steps of Victorian Parliament celebrating the departure of Daniel Andrews while Jacinta Allan is sworn in as premier across town.

Our photographer Jason South is there.

Andrews leaves after winning three elections in a row and increasing Labor’s lower house seats at each one, but his premiership did draw some loud opposition – particularly from those upset at his pandemic management.

People attend a Daniel Andrews resignation celebration on the steps of Parliament House in Melbourne.Credit: Jason South

Getting on the beers at state parliament.Credit: Jason South

Liberal leader John Pesutto has issued a fresh statement as Jacinta Allan is sworn in as Victoria’s premier.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto during yesterday’s press conference. Then, as with today, he insisted Victoria is broke.Credit: Wayne Taylor

The opposition leader claimed protracted internal Labor negotiations this morning which eventually led to Allan being installed as premier showed the party was in turmoil, although he congratulated both Allan and new deputy leader Ben Carroll.

Here is some of the statement:

I congratulate Jacinta Allan on being elected as the new Premier of Victoria and Ben Carroll on being elected Deputy Premier. It is a tremendous privilege to lead our great state and I wish them well.

Today, Victorians got their first look at life after Daniel Andrews, with Labor deeply divided and its factions at war with each other over his replacement.

We shouldn’t be surprised that Labor is in turmoil.

Jacinta Allan bungled major projects and was responsible for the debacle that was the 2026 Commonwealth Games, so it’s little wonder a number of Labor MPs got cold feet.

The new Premier will be leading a divided party with a deputy who doesn’t think she’s up to it and has made no secret of the fact that he wants her job.

This division is the last thing Victorians need. Victorians need leadership more than ever.

Jacinta Allan has arrived at the residence of Victoria’s governor to be sworn in as the 49th premier of the state.

Governor Margaret Gardner will now conduct the formal proceedings.

While some have welcomed Jacinta Allan’s ascent to the top job, the Victorian Nationals are – as you might expect – not entirely excited about the Bendigo MP taking over.

Here is some of what Nationals leader Peter Walsh, who is the deputy leader of the opposition, had to say in a statement released minutes ago:

The track record of our new Premier Jacinta Allan shows Victorians should brace themselves for more of the same.

I am deeply concerned it will be business as usual. More money wasted. More debt. More mismanagement. More secrecy. More poor governance.

Victorians talk about Daniel Andrews handing Jacinta Allan a poisoned chalice. The truth is, her fingerprints are already all over the chalice.

When Victorians look at the career of Jacinta Allan, and the portfolios she’s held, there should be great cause for concern.

The Premier-elect has been the decision-maker for all the major projects across Victoria. There’s been $30 billion of cost overruns on those projects in Victoria. That is part of the $200 billion of debt that Victorians have.

It is impossible to forget the lead up to the last election the announcement of the Commonwealth Games. It was lauded as the regional Games.

As a regional Member of Parliament and the Minister responsible for the Games, Jacinta Allan should have ensured they showcased our regional towns, businesses and communities.

Instead of fighting for our regions, Jacinta Allan did nothing.

As we wait for Jacinta Allan to be officially sworn in as Victorian premier at Government House, several groups have welcomed her appointment as Victoria’s second-ever female leader.

Jacinta Allan at a media conference on Wednesday.Credit: Joe Armao

EMILY’s List, a Labor political network which supports female candidates, said Allan’s appointment was a strong message to women that gender equality continued to move forward in Victoria. Here is some of what chief executive Pamela Anderson had to say:

Jacinta Allan is a foundation member of EMILY’s List and a long-time supporter so we are thrilled that she takes on the top job as premier of Victoria.

The Andrews Labor Government has made bigger and better inroads for the women of this state, starting with a gender-equal ministry since 2018.

We thank Dan and his government for his commitment to making the lives of women better in Victoria and the community can be reassured that this will continue under the strong and experienced leadership of Jacinta Allan.

Master Builders Victoria, a key stakeholder in the government’s housing statement released this month, also congratulated the incoming premier. Here is some of what chief executive Michaela Lihou said:

“We are confident that, by striking the correct balance through negotiations with the new premier and her team, we can continue to build a better industry...

“Mr Andrews’ commitment to industry was underlined last week with the release of the state government’s housing statement and the launch of the Affordability Partnership between the government and industry stakeholders...

“We thank Mr Andrews for his contribution as one of Victoria’s longest-serving Labor premiers.”