Victoria’s Deputy Premier and successor to Dan Andrews, Jacinta Allan, is facing calls for her resignation or dismissal from cabinet over her mishandling of the Commonwealth Games. The announcement by the Andrews government that they could not afford to host the 2026 games shocked the world and raised questions about Allan’s competence.
Opposition leader John Pesutto is demanding that Allan step down from her position as she was the minister responsible for delivering the Games. He accuses her of gross incompetence and deceit, stating that she should not only resign from her ministerial position but also be disqualified from succeeding Andrews as Premier.
Pesutto argues that ministerial responsibility should hold importance, and heads must roll for the costly blowouts on major projects across the state of Victoria, for which Allan is also responsible. These projects include the Suburban Rail Loop, Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel project, and North East Link.
Nevertheless, government Minister Colin Brooks defends Allan, stating that she will not be forced out of cabinet. Brooks claims that a range of factors led to the cancellation of the games, none of which were Allan’s fault. He praises Allan as a fantastic Deputy Premier and a passionate advocate for her community.
Regarding Dan Andrews’ retirement plans, Brooks reveals that Andrews intends to serve as Premier until at least the next election in 2026. He lauds Andrews for delivering strong and effective government, as evidenced by his consistent election victories, and expresses his desire for Andrews to continue leading for several more terms.
In conclusion, the pressure for Jacinta Allan’s resignation or dismissal from cabinet remains high due to her handling of the Commonwealth Games. While some argue that Allan should be held accountable for the costly project blowouts, others defend her and praise her commitment to her community. At the same time, Dan Andrews plans to continue serving as Premier until the upcoming election in 2026.
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