Ben Carroll
Benjamin Alan Carroll is an Australian politician and lawyer and has been the current deputy premier of Victoria since October 2023. He has been the deputy leader of the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party since 2023 and has been a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the division of Niddrie since 2012.
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. In addition to his ministerial portfolios, Carroll is a member of two parliamentary committees - the Legislative Assembly Standing Orders Committee and Dispute Resolution Committee. He has previously held various ministerial portfolios since 2020 in Industry, employment, road safety and support, and Public Transport.
Early years and education
Carroll was born in Airport West, Victoria. His father was an electrician, and his mother worked at Glenroy West Primary School. Carroll attended primary school at St Christopher's Primary School, and high school at St Bernard's College in Essendon. From his teenage years into his early twenties, Carroll worked as a sales assistant for Kmart in Airport West, where he first learnt of the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association.Carroll studied law at La Trobe University, graduating with honours in 2000. He first joined the Labor Party while at university. He was admitted as a legal solicitor in 2010. He holds a Master of Laws 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.
Political career
Carroll has worked as a political advisor to Steve Bracks, Justin Madden, and Stephen Conroy.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.
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.