Victorian deputy premier Ben Carroll has confirmed he will stand against Premier Jacinta Allan for the Labor leadership, after a cross-factional group of MPs told her she no longer held the majority support of caucus, just four months out from the state election.
Key facts
- Deputy premier Ben Carroll confirmed he will nominate for the Labor leadership.
- A cross-factional group of ministers and MPs told Premier Jacinta Allan she had lost the majority of caucus support.
- The group urged Allan to stand down and met her before Monday's scheduled cabinet meeting.
- Allan refused the request to stand down, according to Carroll.
- The challenge comes just four months before the Victorian state election.
Victoria’s deputy premier, Ben Carroll, has confirmed he will nominate for the leadership of the Labor party, setting up a direct challenge to Premier Jacinta Allan, according to the Guardian.
Carroll’s confirmation followed a meeting in which a cross-factional group of ministers and MPs told Allan she no longer had the support of the majority of caucus, the Guardian reported. The group urged the premier to stand down.
According to the Guardian, the group met Allan before Monday’s scheduled cabinet meeting to deliver their message. Carroll said he told the leader of his intention to nominate on Monday after Allan refused the request to stand down.
The move comes just four months before the state election, adding pressure on the governing Labor party as it prepares to face voters.
The Guardian reported that the group involved was cross-factional, indicating support for the change spanned different groupings within the party rather than being confined to a single faction.
The report did not detail the timing of any leadership ballot or the numbers each contender may command within caucus.
Why it matters
A leadership contest within Victoria's governing Labor party could reshape the state's political direction just months before an election. Voters and party members will be watching closely, as the outcome could determine who leads the government into the campaign.
Frequently asked questions
Who is challenging Jacinta Allan for the Victorian Labor leadership?
Deputy premier Ben Carroll has confirmed he will nominate for the leadership, according to the Guardian.
Why is the leadership being challenged now?
A cross-factional group of ministers and MPs told Premier Jacinta Allan she had lost the majority support of caucus and urged her to stand down, the Guardian reported.
When is the Victorian state election?
The Guardian reported the challenge comes just four months before the state election, though a specific date was not provided in the source.