Benjamin Alan Carroll (born 12 July 1975) is an Australian politician and lawyer and has been the current deputy premier of Victoria since October 2023.[1][2] He has been the deputy leader of the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) since 2023 and has been a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the division of Niddrie since 2012.[3]
Ben Carroll | |
|---|---|
 Carroll at a Melbourne Press Club lunch in October 2024 | |
| 30th Deputy Premier of Victoria | |
| Assumed office 2 October 2023 | |
| Premier | Jacinta Allan |
| Preceded by | Jacinta Allan |
| Deputy Leader of the Victorian Labor Party | |
| Assumed office 27 September 2023 | |
| Leader | Jacinta Allan |
| Preceded by | Jacinta Allan |
| Minister for Education | |
| Assumed office 2 October 2023 | |
| Premier | Jacinta Allan |
| Preceded by | Natalie Hutchins |
| Minister for Public Transport | |
| In office 22 June 2020 – 2 October 2023 | |
| Premier | Daniel Andrews Jacinta Allan |
| Preceded by | Melissa Horne |
| Succeeded by | Gabrielle Williams (as Minister for Public and Active Transport) |
| Minister for Industry and Innovation | |
| In office 5 December 2022 – 2 October 2023 | |
| Premier | Daniel Andrews Jacinta Allan |
| Preceded by | Martin Pakula (as Minister for Jobs, Innovation and Trade) |
| Succeeded by | Natalie Hutchins (as Minister for Jobs and Industry) |
| Minister for Manufacturing Sovereignty | |
| In office 5 December 2022 – 2 October 2023 | |
| Premier | Daniel Andrews Jacinta Allan |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Minister for Employment | |
| In office 5 December 2022 – 2 October 2023 | |
| Premier | Daniel Andrews Jacinta Allan |
| Preceded by | Jaala Pulford |
| Succeeded by | Vicki Ward |
| Minister for Roads and Road Safety | |
| In office 22 June 2020 – 5 December 2022 | |
| Premier | Daniel Andrews |
| Preceded by | Jaala Pulford |
| Succeeded by | Melissa Horne |
| Minister for Corrections, Youth Justice and Crime Prevention | |
| In office 29 November 2018 – 22 June 2020 | |
| Premier | Daniel Andrews |
| Preceded by | Gayle Tierney |
| Succeeded by | Natalie Hutchins |
| Minister for Victim Support | |
| In office 29 November 2018 – 22 June 2020 | |
| Premier | Daniel Andrews |
| Preceded by | Position created |
| Succeeded by | Natalie Hutchins |
| Minister for Industry and Employment | |
| In office 16 October 2017 – 29 November 2018 | |
| Premier | Daniel Andrews |
| Preceded by | Wade Noonan |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for Niddrie | |
| Assumed office 24 March 2012 | |
| Preceded by | Rob Hulls |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Benjamin Alan Carroll 12 July 1975 Coburg, Victoria, Australia |
| Political party | Labor Party |
| Alma mater | La Trobe University |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Profession | Lawyer |
| Website | bencarroll |
Carroll also currently holds the positions of Minister For Education and Deputy Premier of Victoria in the state government since the 2023 cabinet reshuffle which resulted in the First Allan Ministry.[3] In addition to his ministerial portfolios, Carroll is a member of two parliamentary committees - the Legislative Assembly Standing Orders Committee and Dispute Resolution Committee.[3] He has previously held various ministerial portfolios since 2020 in Industry, employment, road safety and support, and Public Transport.[3]
Early years and education
editCarroll was born in Airport West, Victoria.[4] His father was an electrician, and his mother worked at Glenroy West Primary School.[5] Carroll attended primary school at St Christopher's Primary School, and high school at St Bernard's College in Essendon.[5] From his teenage years into his early twenties, Carroll worked as a sales assistant for Kmart in Airport West.[5]
Carroll studied law at La Trobe University[5], graduating with honours in 2000. He was admitted as a legal solicitor in 2010. He holds a Master's in Law from La Trobe University, having commenced the degree subsequent to his 2012 election.
Caroll worked for the insurance company AAMI in its motor vehicles division, and for the Victorian Government Solicitor between 2009 and 2010.[6]
Political career
editCarroll has worked as a political adviser to Steve Bracks, Justin Madden, and Stephen Conroy.[6]
In 2012, Carroll was elected to the seat of Niddrie in a by-election following the resignation of Rob Hulls, and was re-elected in 2014 and 2018.
In December 2014, Carroll was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Justice in the incoming Andrews Labor Government. In October 2017, he was appointed Minister for Industry and Employment, after the resignation of Wade Noonan from cabinet.[7]
In September 2023, Carroll was elected deputy party leader following the resignation of Daniel Andrews as Premier and incumbent deputy Jacinta Allan's ascension to the position.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Allan Ministry Sworn in". Retrieved 2 October 2023.
- ^ "Premier of Victoria". Archived from the original on 27 September 2023. Retrieved 27 September 2023.
- ^ a b c d "Ben Carroll | Parliament of Victoria". www.parliament.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 9 April 2024.
- ^ Lucas, Clay: Niddrie, at least, swings Labor's way, The Age, 26 March 2012.
- ^ a b c d "About Ben". www.bencarroll.com.au. Retrieved 20 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Member Profile - The Hon. Ben Carroll". parliament.vic.gov.au. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
- ^ Carey, Adam (16 October 2017). "Ben Carroll joins Andrews' cabinet to take on key employment ministry". The Age. Retrieved 29 March 2018.
- ^ "Ministers of the Crown (per GG2023 S513)" (PDF). Victoria Government Gazette. Victorian Government Printer. 27 September 2023. p. 1–2. Retrieved 27 September 2023.