Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan Faces Leadership Spill on July 29

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is set to face a leadership spill on Tuesday after a delegation of Labor ministers and MPs told her on Monday she has lost the majority support of the parliamentary caucus. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll has confirmed he will nominate for the leadership, setting up a showdown just four months before the November 28 state election. Allan has refused calls to resign and indicated she will contest any ballot, a move that could trigger a weeks-long membership vote.

How the delegation delivered the message

A cross-factional group of nine ministers and MPs met with Allan on Monday morning before the scheduled cabinet meeting. The delegation included ministers Luba Grigorovitch, Lizzie Blandthorn, Anthony Carbines, Gabrielle Williams, Colin Brooks, and Ingrid Stitt, plus MPs Mat Hilakari and Ella George. They told Allan she had lost majority support and urged her to step down. According to sources, Allan refused and instead demanded the ministers resign from cabinet, but they declined.

Why Allan’s leadership collapsed

Allan has endured months of pressure over worsening poll numbers and her response to alleged corruption in the state’s taxpayer-funded Big Build infrastructure program. A growing cohort of Labor MPs believe the government must launch a royal commission into the scandal, but Allan has ruled this out. Labor sources have expressed despair about the possibility of a wipe-out at the November 28 election, with many concluding Allan was unable to recover in the polls.

What happens if Allan refuses to resign

A spill motion is expected to be moved at Tuesday’s 10am caucus meeting when parliament resumes. More than half the parliamentary party would need to vote together to spill the leadership. If the spill succeeds and Allan contests the ballot, the party must hold an election among MPs and rank-and-file members over four weeks. Nominations would open within 24 hours and close three days later.

Carroll’s reversal and the stakes

Ben Carroll, the deputy premier, had publicly backed Allan in June, telling reporters he could “look you in the eye” and say he wanted to serve her as premier. On Monday, Carroll confirmed he would nominate for the leadership, saying the “stakes at the upcoming election are simply too high”. Some loyal MPs remain backing Allan, insisting the spill will fail, but those pushing for change argue the party must act for its survival.

Final Thoughts

Allan’s refusal to resign has forced Victorian Labor into a protracted leadership battle weeks before the election. The outcome will determine whether the party can recover in the polls or faces the wipe-out many fear.

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