Victoria’s 50th Premier, Ben Carroll says he is “honoured and humbled” to have been elected unanimously as the new leader of the Victorian Labor Party and serve as the state’s leader.
In a statement, he said he had been approached by a group of colleagues yesterday and informed that Jacinta Allan no longer had the support of the Labor caucus.
“They asked me to put my hand up,” he said.
“This was not an easy decision, but the stakes at this election are simply too high.”
Mr Carroll said polling says Victoria is on track for Australia’s first Liberal-One Nation Government.
“This election, only Labor can stop the risk of a Liberal-One Nation Government that will hurt working people,” he said.
“But it is clear that on key issues that matter to Victorians, our government needs to go in a new direction.
“As Premier, I will deliver that new direction.”
In his first action as Premier, Mr Carroll announced he will call a Royal Commission into the state’s construction sector.
“We will also immediately establish a Special Prosecutor that will work in parallel with the Royal Commission,” he said.
“And we will strengthen IBAC by giving them follow the money powers this term. Not in 2027, now.”
He ended his public statement saying it was clear that “Victorians want change”.
“That change starts today,” he said.
