Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Politics
Callum Godde

Allan tested in first question time as Vic premier

Jacinta Allan shook hands with the opposition on the first day of parliament since her ascension. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

Jacinta Allan has fended off a barrage of questions in her first parliamentary sitting day as Victoria's premier.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto put the new leader through her paces as she took the hot seat after being sworn in as Daniel Andrews' successor.

She was quizzed on plans to expand the vacant residential land tax, the state of Victoria's finances, the government's cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games and its contentious Suburban Rail Loop.

"I am feeling a little bit like I'm driving the DeLorean in Back to the Future," she quipped on the rail project.

"We've had this conversation before but delighted to do it again because I remind the leader of the opposition that the Suburban Rail Loop is a project Victorians voted for not once but twice."

Ms Allan, who was previously deputy premier, was also pushed by the Greens on why Labor's recently released housing statement did not include a freeze or cap on rents.

"We've looked at the evidence and what the member is proposing doesn't work," Ms Allan said.

Earlier, the premier shared a congratulatory handshake with Mr Pesutto and his deputy David Southwick as parliament returned following the sudden retirement of Mr Andrews last week.

In her first parliamentary act, Ms Allan presented lower house speaker Maree Edwards with details of her new ministry after a swearing-in ceremony on Monday.

The Bendigo East MP ceded her high-profile roles as minister for transport infrastructure and the Suburban Rail Loop to Assistant Treasurer Danny Pearson as part of the cabinet reshuffle.

Newly appointed Deputy Premier Ben Carroll became minister for education and medical research.

Tim Pallas, who vied for the deputy premier role, remained treasurer after speculation he could follow Mr Andrews out the door.

Mr Pesutto also informed the house of changes to his shadow cabinet, including the frontbench return of former opposition leader Matthew Guy as public transport spokesman.

It came after Nicole Werner was sworn in as state parliament's newest member following her win in the Warrandyte by-election, a ballot Labor did not contest.

She received a standing ovation and hugs from fellow coalition MPs.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.