Premier Allan was selected during a Labor Party caucus meeting following Mr Andrews’ resignation. Minister for Industry and Innovation Ben Carroll was appointed Deputy Premier.

Premier Allan was born and grew up in Bendigo and is Member for Bendigo East. She was elected to Parliament in 1999 and is the longest serving female Minister in Australia’s history and Victoria’s longest serving Labor Minister.

She has held several Ministerial portfolios throughout her career including Public Transport, Major Projects, Regional and Rural Development and Industry and Trade.

As Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Premier Allan oversaw the delivery of the largest investment in transport projects in Victoria’s history including the Level Crossing Removals, Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel.

Premier Allan said it was a ‘deep honour’ to become Premier – the State’s 49^th Premier overall and the second female after Joan Kirner.

“To have the support today from my parliamentary colleagues is a deep privilege, and one that I pledge to continue to work incredibly hard as I have done each and every day.

“It’s not lost on me that I am only the second woman to lead this state. I hope it says to young women, older women, women from across different backgrounds ... that leadership takes on different shapes and sizes.

“Women have a role, have a place [as] leaders in our community. Whether it’s in politics, running local community groups, being a small business person, running big corporations, running a farm, women have a place to be recognised as leaders in all of these roles across our community.”

Minister Carroll was born and raised in Airport West where his family have lived for over 40 years. He has over 20 years’ worth of experience in public service, including as a lawyer for the Victorian Government.

First elected as the Member for Niddrie on the 24th of March 2012, Ben was appointed the Minister for Industry and Employment in October 2017. After the 2018 Victorian State Election Ben was appointed the Minister for Crime Prevention, Corrections, Youth Justice and Victim Support.

Following the 2022 Victorian State Election, Ben added the portfolios of Minister for Industry and Innovation, Manufacturing Sovereignty and Employment to his existing portfolio responsibility of Public Transport, a role he had held since 2020.

Victorian Chamber Chief Executive Paul Guerra congratulated both Premier Allan and Deputy Premier Carroll.

"I want to extend my congratulations to Victoria’s new Premier, Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll. Their appointment is fantastic news for the business community, and we have longstanding and productive relationships with both.

"I am delighted that they will be tasked with taking our State forward. I know they are both up for the challenge and I know they both are acutely aware of what business contribute to our great State. 

"Our new Premier will have a different style and approach, as every leader does, and we are certainly looking forward to working with her in a transparent and productive way. There are challenges ahead, and the fresh start may help us navigate our way through even more effectively." 

Both Premier Allan and Deputy Premier Carroll have recently engaged with the Victorian Chamber through our Chamber Change initiative and Home of Innovation event.