Regrettable references and claims of ‘rigged’ election laws: why this week has reignited Jacinta Allan spill rumours

Jacinta Allan’s leadership is being questioned after she faced major political tests this week over Victoria’s anti-corruption body, political donation laws and a series of character references written by a newly appointed minister. Photograph: Jay Kogler/AAP View image in fullscreen Jacinta Allan’s leadership is being questioned after she faced major political tests this week over Victoria’s anti-corruption body, political donation laws and a series of character references written by a newly appointed minister. Photograph: Jay Kogler/AAP Analysis Regrettable references and claims of ‘rigged’ election laws: why this week has reignited Jacinta Allan spill rumours Benita Kolovos Just months from the Victorian election, the premier’s performance has left some MPs wondering if it’s too late for Labor to change leaders Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Jacinta Allan faced three major tests this week. The way she handled them has left some of her colleagues speculating about a possible leadership change just months out from the Victorian election. The first came on Monday, as the premier responded to a parliamentary inquiry that six months ago recommended sweeping reforms to Victoria’s integrity laws. Allan agreed to give the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) follow-the-dollar powers to investigate the spending of public money by private contractors and subcontractors, as well as a broader definition of corrupt conduct, which will make it easier to launch investigations and hold public hearings. ‘Refugees Are Welcome Here’ site could be part of ‘connected campaign’ to funnel votes to One Nation in Victoria Read more But for some Labor MPs, it felt like too little too late. Ibac has been seeking many of these powers for a decade and it comes almost two years after allegations of union corruption on Victorian government projects first emerged, followed by a steady stream of damaging headlines about bikies, drugs and strippers on construction sites . If Labor wins the November election, the reforms won’t be legislated until late 2027. If the opposition wins, it will introduce follow-the-money powers in December but is yet to commit to changing the definition of corruption. Several Labor MPs, unauthorised to speak publicly, say the premier should have acted months ago – particularly after the release of a report that suggested union corruption could have cost taxpayers up to $15bn . “It could have cauterised an issue that was causing us to bleed votes,” one said. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email The second test involved Victoria’s donation laws – or rather, the lack of them. Since the high court struck down an entire section of the Electoral Act in April, removing the previous cap of $4,970 over a four-year term, there have been no limits or disclosure requirements on political donations. Electoral laws have traditionally been negotiated across party lines to avoid accusations that one side is