The Victorian Premier has batted away leadership spill rumours as “anonymous gossip” peddled by “scallywag” colleagues.
With a state election looming in November, particularly weak personal approval ratings and major concerns over organised crime infiltrating huge government infrastructure contracts, Jacinta Allan faces internal leadership pressure, the Herald Sun reports.
It reported on Thursday that “more than a dozen senior sources across both” her own Left faction and the Right faction confirmed leadership discussions were under way.
Questioned on the reporting, Ms Allan said her focus was on the cost of living, not the politicking.
“This is anonymous gossip from a few scallywags, and I’m much more focused on the important matters that are important to the Victorian community right now,” she said.
“Frankly, I am not focused on speculating on anonymous gossip.”
The Herald Sun reports Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ben Carroll from the Right faction is one potential challenger. Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams, from Ms Allan’s own Left faction, would also be a contender for leadership.
Ms Allan said she was confident she would still be leader come the November election.
“I’ve got great support from my strong and united Labor team,” she said.
“The Liberal Party’s only offering cuts and more division, with their cozying up, with their relationship with One Nation.
“All they’re offering to the Victorian community is cuts and division, while Labor is focused on new solutions to make life easier and more affordable for Victorians.”
A Victorian statewide Redbridge survey, commissioned by the Australian Financial Review this year, found that 69 per cent of Coalition voters would direct their preferences to One Nation over Labor.
Labor is seeking a fourth term at the November election.
https://thewest.com.au/news/jacinta-allan-bats-away-spill-rumours-as-gossip-from-scallywags-c-21992624
