Deputy Premier of Victoria Ben Carroll arrives at Victorian Parliament House in Melbourne, Australia on July 28, 2026. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images
The Victorian Labor Party has chosen Ben Carroll to lead and become the 50th premier of Australia’s second-most populous state.
The move comes after Premier Jacinta Allan was forced to step down as leader earlier in the day after a delegation of ministers and MPs from multiple factions told her she had lost support of the Labor caucus.
Carroll will be sworn in at Government House later on July 28, just four months out from the November state election
In a post on social media, Carroll promised to deliver a new direction.
“I am honoured and humbled to have been elected unanimously by my colleagues to serve as the new Premier of Victoria. Yesterday, they asked me to put my hand up to lead our party and I agreed,” he said.
Carroll hails from Labor’s right faction, and entered parliament in 2012 through a by-election for the seat of Niddrie.
Prior to entering parliament, he worked for former federal Labor Minister Stephen Conroy and former Premier Steven Bracks.
Since entering government, Carroll has served as a minister in several portfolios including public transport, road safety, crime prevention, corrections, youth justice and victim support, and industry and employment.
Carroll holds a Master of Laws and worked for a year as a legal trainee for the Victorian government’s Solicitor’s Office.
Just six weeks ago, Carroll promised Allan he would not run for the top job.
“I’ve got a young daughter at home and I couldn’t be more proud to make sure she grows up knowing that I supported Jacinta Allan to be a world-class premier and get re-elected in her own right,” he said at the time.
During the Labor caucus meeting, Sonya Kilkenny from the socialist left faction nominated for a leadership tilt against Carroll.
Under party rules, a proper contest would require a ballot between the rank and file membership, not just sitting MPs.
However, Kilkenny had a change of heart and stood aside to let Carroll rise to the premiership without challenge, while avoiding a lengthy six week process.
Meanwhile, Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams was elected to the deputy premiership securing 45 votes, up against Steve Dimopoulos who gained just 23.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to Allan during a press conference in Western Australia and called her a “very decent human being.”
He said it was a “very difficult day” for Allan and said she was motivated by a passion in improving the lifestyle, education, health and transportation of Victorians.
