Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan is facing a leadership challenge as Deputy Premier Ben Carroll announced his intention to run for the top position. The move comes as Labor sources indicate that factional leaders, including some within Allan's own Socialist Left faction, have informed her they no longer support her leadership. These factional powerbrokers reportedly agreed on Sunday night that Allan had lost the support of a majority of the caucus.
The delegation of factional leaders approached Carroll, a prominent figure in the party's Right faction, urging him to challenge Allan. He has now confirmed he will contest the leadership.
This development occurs just four months before the state election, scheduled for November 28, when the Labor party aims for a fourth term in government. Allan previously weathered leadership speculation in June following unfavorable polling that suggested a potential electoral defeat and indicated her low popularity ratings.
At that time, Carroll had publicly withdrawn from any leadership contest, stating his support for the premier and dismissing rumors of a challenge.
