Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.<\/p>\n
New Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has defended her record of overseeing the state\u2019s major transport projects, which have had a series of cost overruns that led to the state budget blowing out.<\/p>\n
Allan was selected as premier unopposed in the Labor caucus room on Wednesday after former premier Daniel Andrews quit on Tuesday. He left behind a series of major infrastructure projects still to be finished, while the state\u2019s net debt is set to grow from about $135.4 billion by the middle of next year to $171.4 billion by mid-2027.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Jacinta Allan has overseen public transport since 2014.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Jason South<\/cite><\/p>\n \u201cNo one has presided over a program this big that is transforming our transport network,\u201d Allan told ABC radio on Thursday morning.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about making sure the investment is needed to get the job done. These projects have been delivered in a way that we need to focus on the outcome.\u201d<\/p>\n Asked which major projects were within budget, she said the Level Crossings Removal Project would be under budget. The Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel have both exceeded their budgets by billions. She did not answer when asked if the Suburban Rail Loop would be kept to its initial $50 billion price tag.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s going really well,\u201d she said of the 90-kilometre orbital rail line.<\/p>\n Allan was endorsed unopposed as Victoria\u2019s new Labor leader on Wednesday afternoon, narrowly avoiding weeks of factional wars, a day after Andrews announced his sudden resignation.<\/p>\n She was sworn in as the state\u2019s 49th premier at 5pm on Wednesday, the second woman to lead the state.<\/p>\n \u201cThere have been, historically, so few women even in parliament, let alone in different ministerial and leadership roles,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is, I think, a sense of, \u2018What will a woman look like as a minister, how do I perform as a leader\u2019, so yes, I think there are different expectations, simply because it has been unusual in history. Thankfully that is changing.\u201d<\/p>\n Her cabinet is more than 50 per cent women, and she added Vicki Ward to the ministry on Wednesday.<\/p>\n Asked whether she would be more collaborative than her predecessor Andrews, who was criticised for centralising power in his office, Allan disputed the premise but said she would work with her colleagues to get the best outcome.<\/p>\n \u201cThat has been a hallmark of the [Andrews] government, it\u2019s one I intend to continue,\u201d she said. \u201cEvery leader will shape and work with their colleagues in their own way.<\/p>\n \u201cI think there is an expectation that the premier and your office, you need to lead. The way I will do that is as I\u2019ve worked in the past, with my colleagues, with other offices, because that\u2019s the way you get the best results. But can I say that has been a feature of the now former Andrews government, and it will absolutely be a feature of my government.\u201d<\/p>\n Get the day\u2019s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. <\/i><\/b>Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter here.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nMost Viewed in Politics<\/h2>\n
From our partners<\/h3>\n