Ben Carroll announces royal commission into construction sector as first act as new premier of Victoria

<p>Jacinta Allan steps down from top job before expected spill, saying her deputy has her ‘unqualified support’</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2026/jul/28/jacinta-allan-victoria-labor-leadership-spill-ben-carroll-challenge-antisemitism-royal-commission-nsw-icac-inquiry-queensland-estimates-ntwnfb">Live updates: Jacinta Allan quits as premier of Victoria</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/27/who-is-ben-carroll-mp-victoria-deputy-premier-faction-jacinta-allan">Who is Ben Carroll?</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><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 <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/28/jacinta-allan-resigns-quits-victoria-premier-leadership-challenge-ben-carroll">royal commission into alleged corruption</a> in the construction sector.</p><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/27/who-is-ben-carroll-mp-victoria-deputy-premier-faction-jacinta-allan">Carroll’s 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> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/28/jacinta-allan-resigns-quits-victoria-premier-leadership-challenge-ben-carroll">Co