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. 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.
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. He has previously held various ministerial portfolios since 2020 in Industry, employment, road safety and support, and Public Transport.
Early years and education
Ben was born in Airport West, Victoria. He attended primary school at St Christopher's Primary, and high school at St Bernard's College in Essendon. He then studied law at La Trobe University, graduating with honours in 2000. He was admitted as a legal solicitor in 2010. He holds a masters in law from La Trobe, having commenced the degree subsequent to his 2012 election.
Prior to entering politics Ben worked as a sales assistant for Kmart in Airport West, and for the insurance company AAMI in its motor vehicles division. He also worked for the Victorian Government Solicitor between 2009 and 2010.
Political career
Ben Carroll has worked as a political adviser 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.
References
External links
Parliamentary voting record of Ben Carroll at Victorian Parliament Tracker
Parliament of Victoria: Members Information
1975 births
Living people
Members of the Victorian Legislative Assembly
La Trobe University alumni
Australian Labor Party members of the Parliament of Victoria
Labor Right politicians
Politicians from Melbourne
21st-century Australian politicians
People from the City of Moonee Valley
Deputy Premiers of Victoria
Ministers for Youth Justice (Victoria) Ministers for Corrections (Victoria) Ministers for Roads and Road Safety (Victoria) Ministers for Public Transport (Victoria) Ministers for Education (Victoria) Ministers for Employment (Victoria) Ministers for Medical Research (Victoria) Ministers for Crime Prevention (Victoria)