The 50th premier of Victoria has been sworn in following a chaotic resignation of Jacinta Allan.

Allan’s Deputy Premier Ben Carroll was announced as the new leader of Victorian Labor shortly before midday on Tuesday. Transport Minister Gabrielle Williams will now serve as deputy premier.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Ben Carroll becomes Victorian premier as Jacinta Allan steps down

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The 51-year-old was sworn in within an hour of the decision being announced.

Carroll was the frontrunner for his predecessor’s job and announced he had called on Allan to resign the day prior.

“It is clear that the premier has lost the majority of our caucus. As such, I have since visited the premier to inform her that I will be nominating for the leadership of the Labor Party,” the statement read.

“This decision is not easy, but the stakes at the upcoming election are simply too high.”

During her resignation speech at 9.30am on Tuesday, Allan said she would give Carroll her “congratulations and unqualified support”.

First act as Victorian premier

In his first address to the media, Carroll distanced himself from his predecessors, declaring, “I am not Daniel Andrews and I am not Jacinta Allan”.

He added that his government will “do things differently” and his first act will be to call for a royal commission into the construction sector.

Carroll also announced a tougher approach to crime and had already engaged with Police Minister Anthony Carbines to that end.

Corruption watchdog Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) will immediately be given powers to “follow the money”, instead of becoming an election promise, Carroll said.

“It’s clear that on key issues that matter to Victorians, our government does need to go in a new direction,” he added.

“That’s why today we’re saying enough is enough.”

Who is Ben Carroll?

Carroll’s rise through party ranks began in 2012 when he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly as the representative for Niddrie, encompassing part of northwest Melbourne.

Victoria’s former Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll has been sworn in as the state’s 50th premier. Credit: 7NEWS

Following the appointment of 48th Premier Dan Andrews in 2014, Carroll was chosen as the Parliamentary Secretary for Justice before holding portfolios in a number of departments including crime prevention, corrections and public transport.

Carroll’s ascent accelerated following Andrews’ resignation in 2023, when he was appointed as Deputy Leader.

In the almost three years since, he has served as the Minister for Education, Medical Research and WorkSafe.

While the frontrunner for the top job, Carroll’s final hurdle appears to have been more difficult than first believed.

Labor representatives applauded as Allan entered the planned caucus meeting at 10am, which quickly turned chaotic as the vote for the next premier got underway.

Media waiting outside for confirmation reported hearing yelling coming from inside before the members filed out to return to parliament at midday.

However, Labor MP Juliana Addison told awaiting reporters Carroll had received “unanimous” support from the party.

He now faces an uphill battle as Labor is tipped to lose the forthcoming state election in November to the Jess Wilson-led Liberal Party.

Carroll was the frontrunner for the job and called on his predecessor, Jacinta Allan, to resign a day prior. Credit: 7NEWS

In a video posted to social media shortly after being sworn in, Carroll said the decision to push Allan to resign was not easy but noted the “stakes at this election are too high”.

“Only Labor can stop the risk of a Liberal, One Nation government that will hurt working people,” he said.

“But it is clear that on key issues that matter to Victorians, our government needs to go in a new direction on integrity, on community safety and on the economy.

“As premier, I will deliver that new direction.”

The Liberal Party was quick to take aim at the new leader, with a social media post saying: “The face has changed, the problems Victorians face haven’t.”