Former Victorian premier Jacinta Allan quitting politics
Former Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has announced she won't contest the November election, after stepping down from the Labor leadership just over a fortnight ago.
The Nationals are making a determined effort to secure the Bendigo seat in the upcoming state election, despite former premier Jacinta Allan's decision not to contest it. The party has chosen Lockwood-based accountant David Hutchings to represent them in Bendigo West, where they face Labor MP and Speaker of the House Maree Edwards.
Allan's resignation from politics marks the end of her 27-year tenure in the region. The Nationals leader, Danny O'Brien, acknowledged that Allan's time as premier and minister was not a good experience and wished her well, but expressed concern for all Victorians. As for the political dynamics, Monash University politics associate professor Zareh Ghazarian noted that Allan's departure has altered the landscape for the Nationals.
The Bendigo East Labor branch will now search for a new candidate to challenge Andrew Lethlean, who has been running his campaign to unseat Allan for six months. Regardless of the outcome, Bendigo residents remain focused on pressing issues such as climate action, crime, and mental health.
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