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AAP
AAP
Politics
Rachael Ward and Kaitlyn Offer

Cabinet refresh as new premier continues Andrews agenda

Jacinta Allan started her first full day as Victorian premier in high vis at a transport project. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

A reshuffled ministry will be unveiled by Victoria's new premier before parliament next sits.

Jacinta Allan was sworn in as the state's 49th premier, only the second woman to hold the position, late on Wednesday after Daniel Andrews announced his resignation on Tuesday.

Ms Allan said she would take the AFL grand final weekend to talk to colleagues before unveiling her ministry by the time parliament sits on Tuesday.

She confirmed Treasurer Tim Pallas would retain the title he has held for nine years after losing the deputy premier spot to Ben Carroll on Wednesday.

"As the leader of the government, the premier is responsible for all areas of government and I will work closely with my ministerial colleagues, my fabulous parliamentary team, on delivering that agenda," Ms Allan said on Thursday.

She vowed to continue with Mr Andrews' policies and project agenda because Labor took them to an election less than a year ago, while emphasising housing reforms, health and transport infrastructure.

"There will be the opportunity to further build on that program that works," she said.

Ms Allan said her government would persist with measures to pay down the state's debt unveiled earlier this year, which include cancelling payroll tax exemptions for high-fee schools and a tax on second homes and investment properties for 10 years.

In May, the Victorian budget forecast net debt to hit $171.4 billion by mid-2027, while ratings agency Moody's forecast net direct and indirect debt to climb to $226.2 billion.

Ms Allan wore high vis and a hard hat for her maiden press conference on her first full day in the top job, spruiking a level crossing removal project in Pakenham.

She admitted the project's overall budget had gone up but only because dozens more level crossings had been removed. 

But Opposition Leader John Pesutto said the $334 million cost blow-out showed the premier could not be trusted with taxpayer dollars.

He also criticised her decision to keep Mr Pallas as treasurer. 

"It will be difficult for Victorians to accept that the key to fixing the problems of the past is to keep the people responsible for those problems in their jobs," he said. 

But Ms Allan said her team was very talented and she hoped to be judged on her actions, deeds and words.

"I hope Victorians can judge me for who I am," she told ABC Radio Melbourne.

The longest-serving female minister in Australia's history acknowledged women were held to different standards.

"Yes and that is (because) if you look back in history ... there have been historically so few women, even in parliament, let alone in different ministerial and leadership roles," Ms Allan said.

Mr Andrews said on Wednesday he couldn't be happier Ms Allan had taken over the top job.

Hundreds of Mr Andrews' critics rallied at parliament house on Wednesday night to mark the end of his leadership, drinking beer and waving flags in what was touted as a "celebration".

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