本·卡罗尔已宣誓就任维多利亚州第50任总理[1][2][3]，由副州长詹姆斯·安格斯主持就职仪式[3]。这位现年51岁的前律师和政治顾问在维州工党议会党团的一致推举下获得该职位[2]，接替于当日上午辞职的杰辛塔·艾伦[2]。卡罗尔在声明中表示："我很荣幸和谦卑地被同事一致选为维多利亚州工党新领导人"[2]。同时，加布里埃尔·威廉斯被推举为副州长[2]。
卡罗尔在政坛拥有丰富资历[1]。他于2012年赢得尼德里议席[1]，自2014年工党重新执政以来担任过十多个内阁职位[1]，并自2023年以来担任教育部长[1]。他曾在2023年争取总理职位，但当时总理丹·安德鲁斯坚定支持艾伦[1]。
新总理宣布上任后的首项行动是启动对建筑部门的皇家调查委员会[2]。前州长史蒂夫·布拉克斯对此表示赞许，称这是"很好的结果"，并认为卡罗尔为工党赢得第四个任期提供了好机会[2]。维多利亚州定于11月举行州选举[1][2]。历史上维州在选举前不到一年内更换总理的唯一例外是1981年的林赛·汤普森[1]。
Ben Carroll has been sworn in as Victoria's 50th premier following his unanimous election as Labor Party leader by the parliamentary party room [1][2]. The 51-year-old former lawyer and political advisor took office after Jacinta Allan resigned as premier earlier that day [2]. Deputy Premier James Angus presided over the swearing-in ceremony [3].
Carroll's appointment came amid a chaotic party meeting as Labor prepares for a state election scheduled for November [1][2]. He has held more than a dozen ministerial portfolios since Labor returned to power in 2014, most recently serving as Education Minister and Deputy Premier from 2023 onward [1]. Carroll first won the seat of Niddrie in 2012 and previously sought the premiership in 2023, when Dan Andrews firmly backed Jacinta Allan for the role [1].
Upon taking office, Carroll announced his first action would be to launch a Royal Commission into the building sector [2]. He also pledged to implement reforms in integrity systems and policy direction. Gabrielle Williams was simultaneously elected as Deputy Premier [2]. Former Premier Steve Bracks described the transition as "a very good outcome," suggesting Carroll positions Labor well to secure a fourth consecutive term in the upcoming election [2].