Jacinta Allan elected 49th premier of Victoria

Victoria’s new premier became emotional when reflecting on what her ascension to power might mean for young women across the country.

Jacinta Allan has replaced Dan Andrews as Victoria’s premier after a heated Labor caucus meeting on Wednesday.

In her first press conference following her ascension to power, Ms Allan became emotional when reflecting on what her victory might mean to young women across Australia.

“Leadership takes on different shapes and sizes,” she said, wiping tears from her eyes.

Ms Allan stressed women “have a role, have a place” in every sector of the state from public service to running farms, small businesses and large corporations.

Ms Allan is the second woman to lead Victoria after Joan Kirner’s premiership in the early 1990s.

Ms Allan rose to the top job despite a last-minute threat from Industry Minister Ben Carroll, who considered nominating for the job and throwing Mr Andrews’ succession into chaos.

But a compromise was reached with Mr Carroll, standing next to Ms Allan at the conference, elected deputy premier.

Both Ms Allan and Mr Carroll were elected unopposed to their positions and will go to Government House this afternoon to be formally recognised as Victoria’s new leaders, with Mr Andrews stepping down at 5pm.

Ms Allan quick ascension to power ends the prospect of a bruising weeks-long election fight between Ms Allan, from the party’s Left faction, and Mr Carroll, from the Right.

Incoming Victorian premier Jacinta Allan became emotional during her first press conference. Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Ms Allan, the member for Bendigo East, was elected to parliament in 1999 and represents the regional city of Bendigo, where she was raised.

The married mother of two has taken on multiple ministerial roles in the Andrews government, including transport and infrastructure, employment and public transport.

She was also Commonwealth Games delivery minister from June 2022 until July 2023 when the sporting event was controversially canned by Mr Andrews on cost concerns.

She said her policy priorities would be revealed in upcoming days but said she saw the state’s housing crisis as one of her government’s key challenges.

She also referenced Victoria’s approaching Treaty with First Nations people.

The new premier said she was “absolutely determined” to “walk alongside” Indigenous Victorians as a Treaty agreement was negotiated.

“It is a big and important piece of work that we are doing right now as a government and I intend to walk alongside them with respect with dignity,” she said.

She said she would “follow in the footsteps” of Mr Andrews and “hit the ground running” for Victorians.

She praised her working-class parents and said the values of hard work and a commitment to equality of outcome and opportunity would inform her premiership.

A cabinet reshuffle is also on the way, with Ms Allan set to reorder a government that has been in power since 2014.

Mr Carroll said it was a “real privilege” to serve as deputy premier and he was ready to “roll up his sleeves” and gets to work.

Mr Carroll, the member for Niddrie in metropolitan Melbourne, has also taken on multiple ministerial portfolios, including youth justice and employment.

Jacinta Allan served as second-in-command to Premier Dan Andrews since June 2022. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll has served in parliament since 2012. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Luis Enrique Ascui

Mr Andrews sensationally resigned from his position after making up his mind in the “past few days”.

“(This is) not an easy decision because, as much as we have achieved together, there is so much more to do,” he said.

“But when it’s time, it’s time.

“It’s not an easy job being the premier of this state, that’s not a complaint it’s just a fact.”

Mr Andrews said he resigned so that he would not grow to resent the burdens of the office.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese thanked Mr Andrews for his service to Victoria.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews leaves home for his last day as premier. Mr Andrews served in the top job for nine years. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Josie Hayden

“Daniel Andrews has never been anyone who has shirked his responsibilities,” he said.

“He stood up each and every day during the pandemic server for doing what he believed was absolutely right.

“To keep Victorian safe not making easy decisions, making difficult decisions, and Daniel Andrews will be remembered for his contribution to Victoria.”

Ms Allan now leads a government that has been in power nine years following Mr Andrews’ victory in 2014 and his re-election for a third term in November 2022 after defeating Liberal opposition leader Matthew Guy.

Bill Shorten, former leader of the Labor Party, praised Ms Allan on Wednesday morning as a “leader in her own right”.

Members of her own party also backed the married mum to two kids before the vote.

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes, speaking to reporters, said Ms Allan would be a “great leader”.