Jacinta Allan fights back tears as she reveals how things will be very different to life under Daniel Andrews after she is named Victoria’s new premier

Victoria’s new premier Jacinta Allan has been brought to tears as she reflected on being the second woman to hold the top political job in the state.

Ms Allen spoke to the gathered media at state parliament after she was elected unopposed as the state’s new leader following the shock resignation of Dan Andrews on Wednesday.

She fought back the tears as she reflected on being the first woman to lead the state since  Labor’s Joan Kirner stepped down in 1992.

As Ms Allan reflected on this she voiced the hope that her elevation to premier would show ‘young women, older women, women from across all parts of the state’ that they have a role at all levels of leadership. 

‘They can see that leadership comes in different shapes and sizes,’ Ms Allan said while tearing up.

As to how her approach might differ from Mr Andrews, earnt the name of ‘Dictator Dan’ for his domineering style, Ms Allan indicated she would be more consultative.

‘What I will bring to this role I will bring hard work I will be driven by my values and driven by my genuine concern to listen to people,’ she said.

Unlike Mr Andrews whose focus was very much on transport infrastructure Ms Allan said that helping solve the state’s chronic housing crisis would be her first priority.

‘Housing challenges are first and foremost in my mind,’ she said.

‘How do we build more homes, more affordable homes more quickly.’ 

Ms Allan also emphaisezed she would taking the state towards signing a treaty with its Indigenous peoples. 

She is a veteran MP having been in parliament since she was 26 and her last portfolio was Minister for Transport and Infrastructure where she was tasked with delivering the so-called Big Build signature transport infrastructure projects. 

Ms Allan is from the socialist left faction like Mr Andrews. 

Mr Carroll, who will be Labor’s new deputy leader, is from the party’s right faction. 

Unlike Mr Andrews, whose seat of Mulgrave is in Melbourne’s south east, Ms Allan represents a regional area but still a Labor stronghold in the city of Bendigo.

Victoria’s top political job could be considered a belated birthday present for Ms Allan, who turned 50 a little over a week ago. 

Ms Allan is married and is a mother-of-two.

Public Transport minister Ben Carroll (left) is challenging Ms Allan for former premier Daniel Andrews’ (right) job

Former federal opposition leader Bill Shorten said if the Bendigo East MP was successful she would ensure all Victorians were represented on Spring Street.

‘She’s a very highly successful, accomplished woman leader in her own right,’ Mr Shorten told ABC Radio National.

‘She comes from the regions, she’s a very experienced politician.’

Mr Andrews announced his decision to step down at a press conference on Tuesday.

The outgoing premier cited thoughts about life after the top job, hinting he could work in the private sector after taking time off.

Mr Andrews became premier in November 2014, booting out a first-term Liberal government, and led Labor to victories in 2018 and last year.

Ms Allan (above) would be the state’s first female premier since Joan Kirner stepped down in 1992

During the 2022 campaign and the months after, he repeatedly said he would stay for the full four-year term.

His change of heart was a recent decision, he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese told ABC Radio Melbourne on Wednesday Mr Andrews had been a strong leader and passionate Victorian.

Daily Mail Australia predicted in 2020 before Ms Allan was deputy that she was a likely successor to Mr Andrews.