Victorian Labor Leadership: Shouting During Caucus After Allan Quits

The Victorian Labor Party descended into turmoil on Thursday as a caucus meeting to determine the next premier after Jacinta Allan's resignation was marked by shouting and high-stakes negotiations. Allan stepped down before a leadership spill called by her deputy, Ben Carroll, setting off a battle between Carroll and Attorney General Sonya Kilkenny for the state's top job.

A Sudden Resignation and a Spill

Jacinta Allan's decision to resign as premier came amid growing internal pressure, with Carroll's move for a spill forcing a leadership contest. The caucus meeting, originally expected to be brief, has stretched on as factions jostle for control. Allan is chairing the meeting, and sources indicate that the proceedings have been anything but orderly.

The Numbers Game

According to sources within the party, Carroll commands the support of approximately 40 MPs, while Kilkenny has the backing of about 15. This significant disparity has led to negotiations aimed at avoiding a rank-and-file ballot, which would take six weeks to complete. Carroll's camp is reportedly seeking an alternative arrangement that would prevent Kilkenny from standing, potentially by offering her another senior role or brokering a unity ticket.

Heated Exchanges

The tension inside the caucus room has been palpable, with shouting audible from outside. One voice was heard saying, 'I'm just doing my job,' followed by Allan's intervention: 'Hang on, hang on, one at a time.' The atmosphere underscores the deep divisions within the party, as MPs grapple with the fallout from Allan's departure and the prospect of a prolonged leadership fight.

Implications and Next Steps

The outcome of this leadership contest will shape Victoria's political landscape. If Carroll prevails, his centrist approach may signal a shift in policy direction. However, a Kilkenny victory would represent a continuation of Allan's progressive agenda. Regardless, the six-week ballot option looms as a destabilizing force, potentially exposing the party to public infighting and distracting from governance. The caucus is expected to continue deliberating into the evening, with no immediate resolution in sight.