Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan hungover when top job opened up

One state premier was still a bit dusty on the day that she found out her predecessor was stepping down.

The Victorian Premier was hungover from her 50th birthday weekend on the Tuesday she found out her predecessor was stepping down.

Speaking on commercial radio on Tuesday morning, Jacinta Allan said weekend festivities were reverberating when then-premier Dan Andrews called her in September to say he was stepping down.

Former deputy premier Jacinta Allan got the top job following Dan Andrews’ resignation and a caucus meeting. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Josie Hayden

Mr Andrews called a snap press conference outside parliament on September 26, 2023, ending an almost nine-year premiership.

Ms Allan was deputy premier and transport and suburban rail loop minister at the time but had spent that previous weekend marking her 50th birthday.

“We gave it a good nudge … I was still tired from all the dancing,” Ms Allan said on radio with a laugh.

Ms Allan had a big 50th birthday bash. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

“Hungover,” radio host Brendan Fevola blurted.

A big night took a toll at the age of 50, the Premier said.

“I recovered pretty quick,” Ms Allan said of the effect Mr Andrews’ call had.

Mr Andrews had announced his retirement on the Tuesday, caucus met on Wednesday and Ms Allan was sworn in as Victoria’s 49th Premier later that night.

She became Victoria’s second female leader after Joan Kirner, who led the state from 1990 to 1992.

Ms Allan became the youngest woman elected to Victoria’s parliament in 1999 at the age of 25 and the state’s youngest minister in history in 2002 at the age of 29.

Originally published as Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan hungover when top job opened up