Victorian Premier Faces Leadership Challenge Ahead of Election

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is confronting a leadership challenge this week, with internal party discussions suggesting she may no longer command majority support within the Labor caucus. This challenge comes just four months before the November state election.

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At least [former British PM Sir Keir] Starmer knew when to resign.

Factional convenors reportedly met Sunday night and concluded that Allan lacks the necessary support. A delegation is expected to approach her Monday, urging her to resign. If she refuses, her leadership is likely to be formally challenged at Tuesday's caucus meeting when parliament resumes after the winter break.

Allan has been under pressure for months due to declining poll results and her response to allegations of corruption surrounding the taxpayer-funded "Big Build" infrastructure project. A significant number of Labor MPs believe the project warrants a royal commission, a demand Allan has rejected.

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It's not a family, it's a team. We have to act for the good of the government and party.

Some loyal MPs are publicly backing Allan, telling the ABC the challenge would fail. However, those pushing for change argue that the premier should resign to protect the government's electoral prospects. They have drawn parallels to former British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, suggesting Allan should recognize when to step down.

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She has my full support.

Deputy Premier Ben Carroll is considered the most likely alternative leader. While he has previously ruled out a challenge, Allan's concession of lost support could open the door for him to assume leadership through a vacancy. Some MPs, speaking anonymously, expressed a grim outlook, stating the party's position would be "bad with him, but diabolical with her."

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It would be chaos.