Ben Carroll to fill one of three vacancies in Victorian cabinet, ABC understands

Posted Mon 3 Aug 2026 at 6:28amMon 3 Aug 2026 at 6:28amBen Carroll has decided to fill just one of the three vacancies in cabinet. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)In short:The ABC understands Ben Carroll will only fill one of the three vacancies left following former premier Jacinta Allan's resignation. Harriet Shing and Lily D'Ambrosio announced their retirement days after the former premier resigned.What's next? Tim Richardson is expected to be elevated when caucus meets today.The ABC understands Victorian Premier Ben Carroll will fill just one of the three vacancies in cabinet when caucus meets on Monday morning. The meeting was planned to discuss the vacancies left following former premier Jacinta Allan's resignation last week and to fill the frontbench position. Last Tuesday, Ms Allan announced she would stand down ahead of an expected spill motion she was tipped to lose. It was somewhat unexpected having, just 24 hours earlier, written to Labor's state secretary to confirm she would contest any leadership ballot.A caucus meeting to elect a new leader descended into chaos after Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny put her hand up for the leadership, which would have triggered a wider vote involving rank-and-file party members.The process, which could have taken several weeks, was avoided when Ben Carroll was unanimously elected as premier.Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams was elected his deputy. Jacinta Allan leaving a caucus meeting following her resignation. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)Mordialloc MP to be promotedJust days after Ms Allan stood aside, ministers Harriet Shing and Lily D'Ambrosio also announced their resignations from cabinet. Health minister Ms Shing was a close ally of Ms Allen and Ms D'Amborio was Australia's longest-serving energy and climate minister. Their departure left three positions in cabinet for the new premier to fill. Despite that, MPs have told the ABC that Mr Carroll had determined he would only fill just one of the positions.Tim Richardson is expected to progress to cabinet in Ms Allan's absence. (ABC News)He had previously promised Ms Allan's position to Tim Richardson, who is expected to be elevated today. The Mordialloc MP was a government advisor before entering parliament more than a decade ago. He was recently promoted to cabinet secretary. All three vacancies were in the Socialist Left, which has been left in tatters after last week's events. The Socialist Left has for years enjoyed dominance in Labor's factions — blocs within the Labor Party of MPs and powerbrokers aligned on policy and other interests. It was also home to former premier Daniel Andrews.