{"id":2520040,"date":"2026-07-28T05:45:36","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T05:45:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2520040"},"modified":"2026-07-28T05:45:36","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T05:45:36","slug":"ben-carroll-announces-royal-commission-into-construction-sector-as-first-act-as-new-premier-of-victoria-victorian-politics","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/ben-carroll-announces-royal-commission-into-construction-sector-as-first-act-as-new-premier-of-victoria-victorian-politics\/","title":{"rendered":"Ben Carroll announces royal commission into construction sector as first act as new premier of Victoria | Victorian politics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Ben Carroll has been sworn in as the premier of Victoria after Jacinta Allan resigned, with his first act as leader to announce a <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/jul\/28\/jacinta-allan-resigns-quits-victoria-premier-leadership-challenge-ben-carroll\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">royal commission into alleged corruption<\/a> in the construction sector.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\"><a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/jul\/27\/who-is-ben-carroll-mp-victoria-deputy-premier-faction-jacinta-allan\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">Carroll\u2019s elevation<\/a> comes just four months before the state election and follows a tumultuous 48 hours for Labor, during which Allan resigned and a surprise challenger emerged in the leadership contest.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Flanked by the new deputy leader, the transport infrastructure minister, Gabrielle Williams, Carroll on Tuesday afternoon announced a royal commission into the construction sector, as well as plans to create the role of a special prosecutor who would work alongside the commission.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">He said he would also give the state\u2019s anti-corruption watchdog follow-the-dollar powers to investigate the spending of public money by private contractors and subcontractors \u201cnow, this term\u201d. Allan had previously committed to introducing such laws only after the November election.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"6970f00a-6733-41b9-8de1-3fe0638d60e1\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.LinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\"><a target=\"_blank\" data-link-name=\"standard link button Primary\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed&amp;CMP=emailbutton\" class=\"dcr-rh233e\"><span class=\"dcr-1vp4tz8\">Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email <\/span><\/a><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Carroll, who at a press conference in June looked Allan in the eye and declared he would not challenge her, said \u201ccircumstances had changed\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cYesterday morning, I was approached by a delegation who asked me to stand for leader. This delegation had already visited the premier and informed her that they wanted change. I\u2019m going to be that change,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">While Carroll thanked Allan for her service to the <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/labor-party\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Labor party<\/a> and Victoria, he sought to differentiate himself from her and her predecessor and ally, Daniel Andrews.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cLet me make one thing very clear: I am not Daniel Andrews. I am not <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/jacinta-allan\" data-link-name=\"in body link\" data-component=\"auto-linked-tag\">Jacinta Allan<\/a>,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cI will do things differently because different times require a new approach.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Carroll said his government would \u201cfocus on the basics\u201d, including providing families with good services, giving police the \u201csupport they need to fight crime\u201d and spending every taxpayer dollar with \u201crespect\u201d.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"437eaef9-3e4e-41b8-81de-20b42cd9feec\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-1oq85qr\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:11,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Who is Ben Carroll, the man who wants to be Victoria\u2019s next premier?&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;437eaef9-3e4e-41b8-81de-20b42cd9feec&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;richLink&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/jul\/27\/who-is-ben-carroll-mp-victoria-deputy-premier-faction-jacinta-allan&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:0,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Williams, who was among a key group of ministers and MPs who on Monday <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/jul\/27\/jacinta-allan-leadership-challenge-labor-faction-meeting-victoria-politics\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">told Allan she no longer had the support of caucus<\/a> and urged her to stand down, told reporters it became \u201cabundantly clear\u201d over the winter break that the party needed a reset to better align with community expectations.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Allan had vowed to contest a leadership ballot on Monday, which would have triggered a weeks\u2019 long process involving a vote of rank-and-file party members.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"c4801005-3c5c-4eea-b0ab-279dd6d05eb2\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Jacinta Allan addresses the media after announcing her resignation as premier.<\/span> Photograph: James Ross\/AAP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">But prior to Tuesday morning\u2019s caucus meeting, she told reporters she had decided to step aside \u2013 despite believing she would have won a leadership ballot \u2013 because it was \u201cthe right thing\u201d to do for Labor and Victorians.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cAfter speaking with my colleagues overnight, I have made the difficult decision to step aside as leader of the Victorian state parliamentary Labor party, and as premier of Victoria,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<figure data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.NewsletterSignupBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\"><gu-island name=\"EmailSignUpWrapper\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"visible\" props=\"{&quot;index&quot;:17,&quot;listId&quot;:6048,&quot;identityName&quot;:&quot;breaking-news-australia&quot;,&quot;category&quot;:&quot;fronts-based&quot;,&quot;description&quot;:&quot;Get the most important news as it breaks&quot;,&quot;name&quot;:&quot;Breaking News Australia&quot;,&quot;frequency&quot;:&quot;When needed&quot;,&quot;theme&quot;:&quot;news&quot;,&quot;illustrationSquare&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/media.guim.co.uk\/10b4e02333ee97ecf51d5e814fd324a88832fb17\/1177_0_2998_3000\/2998.jpg&quot;,&quot;exampleUrl&quot;:&quot;\/email\/au\/breaking-news&quot;,&quot;idApiUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/idapi.theguardian.com&quot;}\"><a target=\"_blank\" data-ignore=\"global-link-styling\" href=\"#EmailSignup-skip-link-17\" class=\"dcr-76akua\">skip past newsletter promotion<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"dcr-1tr4stg\">\n<div class=\"dcr-12qa5gp\">\n<hr class=\"dcr-1cjdlyj\"\/>\n<aside aria-label=\"newsletter promotion\" class=\"dcr-11zfjs0\">\n<div class=\"dcr-pspq5\">\n<div class=\"dcr-1gx5ko4\">\n<div class=\"dcr-191vl9p\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" viewbox=\"-3 -3 30 30\" focusable=\"false\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M18.364 2H5.636v5.68H3.43L2 9.29l9.048 7.504h1.904L22 9.289 20.571 7.68h-2.207zm-1.819 5.68v-.946h-9.09v.946zm0-3.787h-9.09v.947h9.09zM2 20.58v-8.994l9.048 6.627h1.904L22 11.586v8.994L20.571 22H3.43zM7.455 9.574h9.09v.947h-9.09z\"\/><\/svg>Free newsletter | <!-- -->When needed<\/div>\n<p class=\"dcr-vf9hps\">Sign up to <span>Breaking News Australia<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1r7my33\">Get the most important news as it breaks<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"EmailSignup-skip-link-17\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"after newsletter promotion\" role=\"note\" class=\"dcr-76akua\">after newsletter promotion<\/p>\n<p><\/gu-island><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cI was prepared to put my record and my plan to a ballot of members as our rules allow. I believe I would have won, but doing this so this close to an election takes up valuable resources, including the most precious one \u2013 time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">\u201cAt the end of the day, I am and always have been a team player.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Allan said Carroll had her \u201cunqualified support\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">After her announcement, it was expected that Carroll would run unopposed for the leadership during Tuesday\u2019s caucus meeting, but the meeting descended into chaos when the attorney general, Sonya Kilkenny \u2013 a key supporter of Allan\u2019s \u2013 put her hand up for the leadership.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">MPs could be heard shouting at one another, with Allan, who was chairing the meeting, urging order.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"1e4a181f-6bf1-457c-80b6-7a9328d8cb1f\" data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.ImageBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-d9bay7\"><figcaption data-spacefinder-role=\"inline\" class=\"dcr-174mzkf\"><span class=\"dcr-vyhg7z\"><svg width=\"18\" height=\"13\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 13\"><path d=\"M18 3.5v8l-1.5 1.5h-15l-1.5-1.5v-8l1.5-1.5h3.5l2-2h4l2 2h3.5l1.5 1.5zm-9 7.5c1.9 0 3.5-1.6 3.5-3.5s-1.6-3.5-3.5-3.5-3.5 1.6-3.5 3.5 1.6 3.5 3.5 3.5z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><span class=\"dcr-1cipnsy\">Attorney general Sonya Kilkenny wanted to run for the Labor leadership, but then withdrew.<\/span> Photograph: James Ross\/AAP<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Ultimately, Kilkenny withdrew her bid, but only after Williams was appointed deputy and interim leader.<\/p>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Speculation about a leadership spill had been swirling for months, and momentum had been building before parliament rose for the winter break in June. Poor polling and Allan\u2019s weak personal approval ratings contributed to the push, along with rising support for One Nation.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"196b1e5a-30f1-457e-8140-79f65304b837\" data-spacefinder-role=\"richLink\" data-spacefinder-type=\"model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement\" class=\"dcr-1oq85qr\"><gu-island name=\"RichLinkComponent\" priority=\"feature\" deferuntil=\"idle\" props=\"{&quot;richLinkIndex&quot;:26,&quot;element&quot;:{&quot;_type&quot;:&quot;model.dotcomrendering.pageElements.RichLinkBlockElement&quot;,&quot;prefix&quot;:&quot;Related: &quot;,&quot;text&quot;:&quot;Perceived inaction on Big Build corruption could see Jacinta Allan\u2019s leadership demolished&quot;,&quot;elementId&quot;:&quot;196b1e5a-30f1-457e-8140-79f65304b837&quot;,&quot;role&quot;:&quot;richLink&quot;,&quot;url&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/jul\/27\/perceived-inaction-on-big-build-corruption-could-see-jacinta-allans-leadership-demolished&quot;},&quot;ajaxUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\/\/api.nextgen.guardianapps.co.uk&quot;,&quot;format&quot;:{&quot;design&quot;:0,&quot;display&quot;:0,&quot;theme&quot;:0}}\"\/><\/figure>\n<p class=\"dcr-1s160rg\">Allan\u2019s leadership has also been dogged by <a target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theguardian.com\/australia-news\/2026\/jul\/22\/organised-cost-and-the-cfmeu-why-victorias-construction-scandal-is-threatening-to-derail-a-government-ntwnfb\" data-link-name=\"in body link\">allegations of wrongdoing on the Big Build<\/a>, as she was the minister responsible for transport infrastructure at the time. While she has apologised for criminal conduct that has been uncovered, she has also rejected calls for a royal commission. This is understood to have put her at odds with a number of MPs who believe the issue cannot be contained without one.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.theguardian.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ben Carroll has been sworn in as the premier of Victoria after Jacinta Allan resigned, with his first act as leader to announce a royal commission into alleged corruption in the construction sector. Carroll\u2019s elevation comes just four months before the state election and follows a tumultuous 48 hours for Labor, during which Allan resigned [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2520041,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2520040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Ben-Carroll-announces-royal-commission-into-construction-sector-as-first-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2520040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2520040"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2520040\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2520042,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2520040\/revisions\/2520042"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2520041"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2520040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2520040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2520040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}