Jacinta Allan has gone as the premier – but will that pave the way for the change that the state, particularly regional Victoria, needs?

There is no doubt Ms Allan was disliked in many regional areas – in fact, disliked is probably too soft of a description for how many people feel about her.

The Emergency Services Volunteer Fund levy was the last straw for many regional Victorians – a kick in the guts for not only our emergency services volunteers but our farmers.

But there are many, many other issues new Premier Ben Carroll will need to address – and quickly – with less than four months until the state election.

While the usual funding priorities exist – particularly in relation to roads, education and health – there are many more issues that need immediate attention.

Ms Allan had dug her heels in when she was continually called upon to establish a Royal Commission into Big Build corruption.

While the government’s mounting debt, declining results in the polls and questionable integrity have lingered for a while, if you were to pick one issue that bought the undoing of Ms Allan, the corruption allegations were it.

It was pleasing to see Mr Carroll immediately support a Royal Commission in his first press conference as premier yesterday.

“Integrity under my government will not be optional. We need to restore trust. The people of Victoria need to trust their government,” he said.

“The stewardship of our institutions, of our economy, of our major projects is precious, and we will continue to work hard every single day.

“I will set up the Royal Commission, and it will be a priority.”

So who is Ben Carroll?

Obviously we know him as the Education Minister, which he has been since 2023 – the same year he became deputy premier.

The 51-year-old former lawyer and political adviser to former Victorian Premier Steve Bracks entered politics through a by-election following the resignation of Rob Hulls in the seat of Niddrie in Melbourne’s north-west.

He has overseen more than 12 portfolios since Labor returned to power in 2014.

And it has had its challenges – just last week, Victorian teachers walked off the job in large numbers after Australian Education Union members rejected the government’s second pay and conditions offer. 

It is a thorn in the side of the government, particularly ahead of the election.

Mr Carroll is a member of the right faction of the Labor party – as opposed to Ms Allan and former premier Dan Andrews, who were both members of the left.

With his experience of working under Mr Bracks and John Brumby – both members of the right faction – some say there may be a return to policies and leadership reminiscent of the Bracks and Brumby governments.

If this is the case, it would likely better serve regional Victoria, who particularly under Mr Brumby, were treated better than the most recent Labor governments – which was ironic given Ms Allan was from regional Victoria.

But only time will tell what Mr Carroll’s leadership will look like. And will it be too little, too late for Labor for the election?

While the Liberal party isn’t much better when it comes to leadership and internal bickering, they do seem to be listening intently to the concerns of regional Victorians with leader Jess Wilson’s Fresh Start Tour visiting all 88 Victoria’s Legislative Assembly districts.

Wouldn’t it be a shock to our communities to see the new premier visit the Wimmera ahead of the state election?

With many key projects important to the Labor government based in our region, surely listening and communicating with our communities and our leaders would be not only a courtesy, but be a step in the ‘new direction’ Mr Carroll pointed out his government needs to go in. 

 

RELATED: Regional reset hope for new premier Ben Carroll

The entire July 29, 2026 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!

The entire July 29, 2026 edition of AgLife is available online. READ IT HERE!