Jacinta Allan victim of 'vile' sexism, Julia Gillard says

Former Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has asserted that outgoing Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan endured "vile sexism" throughout her tenure. Gillard lauded Allan on Instagram as a role model and trailblazer who governed for all Victorians, with a particular impact on women and girls.

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There is no doubt that as the second woman to lead the state, she has been subjected to vile sexism. She has been courageous in calling it out and combating this misogyny. As a result, she has made it easier for the women that follow.

"There is no doubt that as the second woman to lead the state, she has been subjected to vile sexism," Gillard wrote. "She has been courageous in calling it out and combating this misogyny. As a result, she has made it easier for the women that follow." Gillard's own 2012 misogyny speech against opposition leader Tony Abbott gained global attention and inspired various musical adaptations.

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I know how hard working he is and how much he cares about ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life. I wish him and his team well in the months to come.

Gillard, who previously represented the Victorian electorate of Lalor, now focuses on NGOs centered on health and women's rights. She also extended congratulations to Ben Carroll, who succeeded Allan as premier. "I know how hard working he is and how much he cares about ensuring every child gets the best possible start in life. I wish him and his team well in the months to come," Gillard stated.

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He wants to act with integrity, and he wants to act in everyone’s interests. I think he understands [what] people will be assessing: is he serving the people or is he just playing politics? So I thought he was very straight. He’s in there for Victorians, not trying to just tick the box and get particular interest groups on side.

Separately, former Labor leader Bill Shorten backed Premier Carroll's decision to establish a royal commission into the construction sector. Shorten told 7.30 that Carroll aims to act with integrity and in the public's interest. "He's in there for Victorians, not trying to just tick the box and get particular interest groups on side," Shorten commented, adding that the call for a commission was timely. He noted that while construction costs might be exaggerated, "there is something rotten going on in construction, and people want to see it can be dealt with," especially concerning taxpayer money for public infrastructure.

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I think the national mood or the state mood was there for it. I just think that the costs of construction … there may be exaggerations, but there is something rotten going on in construction, and people want to see it can be dealt with. This is public infrastructure, so it’s taxpayer money.