Jacinta Allan has been elected by Labor MPs as the 49th premier of Victoria, and will be the state’s first female in the top job in more than three decades.
Daniel Andrews will hand the reins to Allan at 5pm on Wednesday after he announced his decision to step down at a surprise press conference on Tuesday.
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The Bendigo East MP will be the first Labor premier from regional Victoria in almost 100 years.
“It is such a deep honour and privilege to be in the position to be heading to Government House and to be sworn in as premier of Victoria,” Allan told reporters.
“Twenty-four years ago, almost to the day when I walked into this place as a much younger woman from regional Victoria, I never expected to have this length of service or indeed to be able to have had the honour and privilege of serving the Victorian community in various ministerial roles.
“I pledge to continue to work incredibly hard, as I have done each and every day.”
Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll was chosen as deputy.
Allan entered parliament in 1999 and became the youngest minister in the state’s history at 29.
She took over as Andrews’ deputy and presumed successor in June 2022 and most recently served as minister for transport infrastructure and the suburban rail loop project.
She was also charged with delivering the now-cancelled 2026 Commonwealth Games until the portfolio was abolished.
Wednesday’s caucus meeting started late after Carroll decided to try and throw his hat in the ring for the leadership.
But Allan emerged from the meeting with the numbers to become premier, avoiding the matter going to a vote by membership.
On Tuesday, Andrews cited thoughts about life after the top job as his reason for leaving, hinting he could work in the private sector after taking time off.
“To be honest, I’ve spent a long time in the public sector … I think it highly unlikely that I’ll spend too much more time in the public sector after five o’clock tomorrow,” Andrews said.
He said serving as Victoria’s premier for nine years had been “the honour and privilege of my life”.
“Victorians have endorsed me and my team in record terms. I am very proud of that and I am very grateful for that. I am also proud to think of all that we have achieved over these nine years,” he said.
“In good times, and bad, always working hard to do what’s right, not simply what’s popular.”
The new ministerial cabinet spot left by Andrews’ departure will be filled by Eltham MP Vicki Ward.
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