Ben Carroll begins first full day as Victorian premier

Ben Carroll commenced his inaugural full day as Victoria's premier on Wednesday, with the state election looming just four months away in November. Carroll, who emerged as the third Labor leader this term following a tumultuous caucus meeting, has pledged substantial reforms. However, questions linger about how these changes will be implemented with limited time before the election.

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I am not Daniel Andrews. I am not Jacinta Allan.

Carroll's leadership is staked on launching a royal commission into alleged corruption within the taxpayer-funded Big Build project. "I am not Daniel Andrews. I am not Jacinta Allan," Carroll declared at a press conference, signaling a departure from his predecessors. While the terms of reference for the royal commission are yet to be detailed, he stated it would be expansive and established swiftly. Reforms to the state's anti-corruption watchdog, IBAC, are also planned for this term, alongside unspecified law-and-order changes and a renewed focus on businesses.

"I will do things differently, because different times require a new approach," Carroll asserted. "In my government, integrity will not be optional." The new premier faces the immediate task of reshuffling his frontbench. His education portfolio is now vacant, and he must appoint a successor to former premier Jacinta Allan. While Mordialloc MP Tim Richardson is reportedly set to join the cabinet, other changes to Allan's previous ministry remain undisclosed.

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I will do things differently, because different times require a new approach.

The leadership transition followed a period of intense political maneuvering. Allan had initially vowed to contest a party ballot on Monday, but Carroll declared his intention to challenge for the leadership the same day. By Tuesday morning, Allan recognized her loss of caucus support and resigned as premier. Despite claiming she would win a broader party vote, she stepped down, endorsing whoever succeeded her. The situation intensified when Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny briefly vied for leadership during the caucus meeting, which reportedly featured audible yelling.

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In my government, integrity will not be optional.