Labor MPs Position for Promotions as New Premier Ben Carroll Prepares Cabinet Shake‑Up

Labor MPs in Victoria are manoeuvring for front‑bench positions ahead of Premier Ben Carroll’s first cabinet selection, to be finalised at a caucus meeting on Monday. With the departure of key allies of former premier Jacinta Allan, several vacancies have opened — and fresh faces are expected to be elevated.

The reshuffle follows Thursday’s announcements from Harriet Shing and Lily D’Ambrosio, who confirmed they would resign from the ministry and leave parliament at the November election. D’Ambrosio, long expected to retire, was the last remaining minister from Daniel Andrews’ first 2014 cabinet and, alongside Allan, one of the final MPs from the Bracks‑Brumby era.

Allan has not formally declared whether she will recontest her Bendigo seat, but her retirement is widely anticipated. Her exit, combined with Shing and D’Ambrosio’s departures, leaves three cabinet vacancies, all from the powerful Socialist Left faction.

Labor MPs Position for Promotions as New Premier Ben Carroll Prepares Cabinet Shake‑Up

Labor MPs in Victoria are manoeuvring for front‑bench positions ahead of Premier Ben Carroll’s first cabinet selection, to be finalised at a caucus meeting on Monday. With the departure of key allies of former premier Jacinta Allan, several vacancies have opened — and fresh faces are expected to be elevated.

The reshuffle follows Thursday’s announcements from Harriet Shing and Lily D’Ambrosio, who confirmed they would resign from the ministry and leave parliament at the November election. D’Ambrosio, long expected to retire, was the last remaining minister from Daniel Andrews’ first 2014 cabinet and, alongside Allan, one of the final MPs from the Bracks‑Brumby era.

Allan has not formally declared whether she will recontest her Bendigo seat, but her retirement is widely anticipated. Her exit, combined with Shing and D’Ambrosio’s departures, leaves three cabinet vacancies, all from the powerful Socialist Left faction.

The faction will meet Monday morning to debate replacements before the full caucus votes later in the day. Under Labor rules, women must make up half the front bench. After this week’s retirements, the cabinet currently sits at 11 women and eight men, giving Carroll room to adjust portfolios while maintaining gender balance.

Once the caucus confirms the new ministers, Carroll will allocate portfolios in a broader reshuffle. Jostling for promotion began almost immediately, with MPs positioning themselves for roles in the new leadership era.