Why it's trending
The leadership challenge escalated after an extraordinary meeting of factional conveners on Sunday night, with sources reporting they agreed Premier Allan lacks caucus support. The crisis is expected to come to a head on Monday or Tuesday.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is facing a leadership challenge after factional powerbrokers from both the Left and Right of the Labor Party met on Sunday night and agreed she no longer has the support of a majority of caucus, four sources told The Age. The ABC confirmed the meeting's outcome, reporting that a delegation is expected to offer Allan a chance to resign on Monday; if she refuses, a leadership challenge is likely at Tuesday's caucus meeting when parliament resumes from winter break.
The challenge comes four months before the state election on November 28. Allan has endured months of speculation over poor polling and her handling of alleged corruption in the taxpayer-funded Big Build program. Some Labor MPs are calling for a royal commission into the scandal, which Allan has ruled out. A senior figure told the ABC, 'At least Starmer knew when to resign,' and said the party should act 'for the good of the government and party.'
No declared challenger has emerged. Deputy Premier Ben Carroll has indicated to colleagues he would be a contender if the leadership becomes vacant but would not move to bring Allan down. Under party rules, a new leader would be chosen by a caucus vote and a ballot of party members, a process that could take up to six weeks. In the event of a spill, an interim leader would be appointed if both Allan and Carroll are candidates.
Allan spent Sunday night at her home in Bendigo with senior advisers and told supporters she would not resign. Loyalist MPs are still backing her, but one MP told The Age not every faction was represented at Sunday's meeting. The leadership crisis threatens to paralyse the government just months before the election.
Multiple sources have told The Age and ABC that Allan would lose a vote of the 69 Labor MPs. However, some senior figures are pushing back, saying the plan to force her resignation will fail. The outcome likely depends on whether Allan resigns voluntarily or forces a ballot.
Timeline
- Factional conveners meet, agree Allan lacks support
An extraordinary meeting of Labor factional conveners from Left and Right resolves that Premier Jacinta Allan no longer has caucus backing, according to four sources cited by The Age. The ABC also confirms the meeting's outcome.
- Allan expected to be offered resignation
A delegation is expected to approach Premier Allan and offer her the chance to resign, per the ABC. Cabinet is also scheduled to meet. Allan reportedly refuses to resign.
- Possible leadership challenge at caucus meeting
If Allan refuses to resign, a leadership challenge is expected at the weekly caucus meeting when parliament resumes from winter break, according to ABC sources.
Questions people ask
Why is Jacinta Allan facing a leadership challenge?
Factional powerbrokers have lost confidence in Allan due to poor polling and controversy over the Big Build infrastructure program. An extraordinary meeting of conveners on July 26 agreed she lacks caucus support.
Who could replace Jacinta Allan as premier?
Deputy Premier Ben Carroll is considered the most likely replacement, though he has not declared a challenge. Other possible contenders may emerge if the leadership becomes vacant.
What happens if a leadership spill is called?
Under party rules, a new leader is chosen by a caucus vote and a ballot of party members, with equal weight. The process can take up to six weeks. An interim leader would be appointed if both Allan and Carroll are candidates.
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