Breaking: Jacinta Allan reconsiders leadership hours before crucial voteBy Chip Le GrandThe Victorian government may avoid a bruising leadership challenge, with Jacinta Allan understood to be reconsidering her position within hours of an expected caucus vote.While Premier Allan on Monday vowed to “fight all the way” any challenge to her leadership, overwhelming numbers in support of Deputy Premier Ben Carroll have increased pressure on her to resign.Premier Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll.Artwork: Michael HowardOne of Allan’s principal supporters, when contacted this morning about her prospect of surviving a spill motion, replied: “There may not be a contest.”If Allan stands down, Carroll will become Victorian premier unopposed and lead the Labor Party to the November election. The caucus is due to meet in parliament at 10am.Latest Posts8.43amMinisters captured scheming late at night on Treasury PlaceBy Lachlan AbbottVideo footage captured from near Spring Street appears to show senior ministers Jaclyn Symes, Lily D’Ambrosio and Steve Dimopoulos in deep discussion last night.The overnight camera operator for TV networks filmed the trio talking through the windows of government offices on Treasury Place.They were not part of the cross-factional delegation who confronted Premier Jacinta Allan yesterday and told her to resign.As state political editor Chip Le Grand wrote yesterday, supporters of the premier are furious it has come to this.They say the campaign to replace Allan has been driven from outside the caucus by factional power brokers. More than one MP pointed a finger at former federal MPs Alan Griffin and Stephen Conroy – factional warlords from the party’s Left and Right.8.27amBen Carroll speaks ahead of leadership challengeBy Angus DelaneyDeputy Premier Ben Carroll, who is set to challenge Jacinta Allan this morning as leader, has arrived at Parliament House.“I will have more to say later – right now, my focus is talking to my colleagues,” he told reporters before walking inside.Ben Carroll outside parliament today.Jason SouthCarroll decided to challenge Allan for the leadership after a cross-factional delegation of Labor MPs met with him yesterday to say the premier had lost their support.“The decision is not easy but the stakes at the upcoming election are simply too high,” he wrote on X.Last month, Carroll publicly said the premier had his full support.8.24amMore Labor MPs arrive at parliament, including some Allan supportersBy Angus Delaney and Cassandra MorganMore Labor MPs have arrived at Parliament House, including some supportive of Premier Jacinta Allan.Speaker Maree Edwards said she supported Allan “100 per cent”.Maree Edwards arrives at Victorian Parliament.Jason SouthHousing Minister Harriet Shing, an ally of the premier, entered parliament while taking a phone call.She did not pause to speak with reporters.8.11amLabor minister backs royal commission into Big Build corruptionBy Angus DelaneyLabor minister Enver Erdogan said there is a case for change within the government, adding that he supports a royal commission into corruption on Big Build sites.Although he declined to discuss “internal party matters”, Erdogan said there was a need for stronger action on crime and corruption.Enver Erdogan speaking back in March.Wayne Taylor Asked if he thought a royal commission into corruption in the Big Build was needed – something the premier has strongly resisted and was a source of consternation within the party – Erdogan responded: “Yes.”Minister for Youth Luba Grigorovitch, one of the MPs who on Monday urged the premier to step down, declined to comment when she arrived at parliament on Tuesday morning.Grigorovitch was dropped off by her driver directly outside a side door at parliament, and told the waiting press pack she “won’t be commenting on party matters”.Pinned post from 8.06amBreaking: Jacinta Allan reconsiders leadership hours before crucial voteBy Chip Le GrandThe Victorian government may avoid a bruising leadership challenge, with Jacinta Allan understood to be reconsidering her position within hours of an expected caucus vote.While Premier Allan on Monday vowed to “fight all the way” any challenge to her leadership, overwhelming numbers in support of Deputy Premier Ben Carroll have increased pressure on her to resign.Premier Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll.Artwork: Michael HowardOne of Allan’s principal supporters, when contacted this morning about her prospect of surviving a spill motion, replied: “There may not be a contest.”If Allan stands down, Carroll will become Victorian premier unopposed and lead the Labor Party to the November election. The caucus is due to meet in parliament at 10am.7.54amRebel minister mum about leadership coupBy Angus DelaneyMinister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn, who on Monday privately urged the premier to stand down, declined to comment when arriving at Parliament House this morning.“I’m not going to discuss internal party matters,” she said.Lizzie Blandthorn arriving at Parliament House on Tuesday morning.Jason SouthBlandthorn met with a defiant Premier Jacinta Allan before a cabinet meeting on Monday morning alongside other ministers and Labor Party factional bosses.Like other ministers who confronted the premier, she was told to resign by Allan, but refused.7.30amMPs arrive at Spring Street ahead of expected Labor spill motionBy Cassandra Morgan and Angus DelaneyWe’re here on a gusty morning at Spring Street, where MPs have started arriving ahead of a meeting to try to topple Premier Jacinta Allan.Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny just walked outside the front of parliament, where she again expressed support for her premier, surrounded by media.Victorian Parliament on Spring Street this morning.Cassandra Morgan“I’m here today as a minister of this government, and the premier has my support,” Kilkenny said.A number of journalists are already here ahead of the Labor caucus meeting at 10am – the press pack is building at the front and back of parliament.Opposition Leader Jess Wilson arrived shortly before 7am, while shadow attorney-general James Newbury arrived soon after.7.23amHow a leadership challenge could play outBy Patrick HatchIt’s not straightforward.The first step is a spill motion to vacate the leadership, which is expected to be moved at a Labor caucus meeting at 10am today.Premier Jacinta Allan and Deputy Premier Ben Carroll.Eddie JimAt that point, if the leadership is spilled, Allan, Carroll and any other aspirants could nominate for leader.If only one MP puts their hand up, they will immediately become the leader (and premier).7.14amAllan digs in amid Labor revoltBy Lachlan AbbottThe premier yesterday took the extraordinary step of pre-emptively nominating as a candidate for the state Labor leadership in the event of a spill.In a letter to the Labor state secretary, Jacinta Allan referred to “media speculation” about her leadership and requested the party prepared to conduct an election if required.She also defiantly declared: “I also wish to formally notify you of my intention to be a candidate for the leadership of the State Parliamentary Labor Party, in the event that an election is required.”Party rules mean any contested election for the leadership could take weeks and paralyse the government ahead of the state election.The premier has not spoken publicly since Ben Carroll declared his candidacy yesterday amid a revolt from some ministers.Stay tuned to find out if Allan continues to dig in today.6.56am‘I can look you in the eye’: Ben Carroll vowed not to challenge premier last monthBy Lachlan AbbottJust six weeks ago, Ben Carroll looked Jacinta Allan in the eye and said he would not try to take her job.Facing down heightened speculation in June, Carroll and Allan appeared alongside each other at an awkward press conference in a bid to put the leadership rumblings to bed.A reporter asked Carroll: “Are you going to try to get the premier’s job tomorrow?” He replied: “No.”Carroll was then asked: “Are you going to ask her to step aside?”1 of 2