Just weeks after taking the state's top job, Victoria’s new Premier, Ben Carroll, has launched an ambitious political reset designed to win over voters ahead of the November 28 election. At the heart of his new platform is a landmark commitment to fully fund Victorian public schools, addressing a long-standing grievance that has doggred the state government for years.

Currently, Victoria lags behind national standards, funding only 70 per cent of its agreed School Resource Standard, while the federal government contributes 20 per cent. By lifting the state’s share by 5 per cent, Premier Carroll intends to unlock matching Commonwealth funding under the Better and Fairer Schools Agreement—finally meeting the historic Gonski recommendations first handed down in 2012.

A Multi-Billion Dollar School Funding Pledge

The premier confirmed his intention to secure the historic funding deal before Victorians head to the polls. The move follows intense criticism of former Premier Jacinta Allan’s administration, which delayed signing the agreement, resulting in an estimated $2.4 billion shortfall for Victorian classrooms over three years. It also comes amid a protracted pay dispute between the state government and the teachers' union.

"My priority is delivering full and fair funding for our public school kids," Premier Carroll said, noting that 30 per cent of disadvantaged children in Victoria are enrolled in the public system—double the rate of the non-government sector. "I want to make sure that we reach up and bring every one of those kids along for their future. Secondly, it is simply the right thing to do."

Education as a 'Silver Bullet' for Youth Justice

Having previously served as the minister for youth justice, corrections, and education, Carroll is seeking to reframe the state's approach to youth crime. Emphasizing a philosophy of "empathy and accountability," he advocated for smarter justice initiatives rooted in classroom engagement.

"Education is the silver bullet for living a life of purpose and moving away from a life of crime," Carroll said, noting that a lack of basic literacy skills often drives young offenders toward isolation and unlawful behavior. While pledging to invest heavily in rehabilitation programs, the Premier also issued a firm warning: "Every young person that has broken the law, we will work with them and give them every opportunity. But if they make us, we will put a stop to their crime, and they will do time."

A New 'Red Carpet' Approach to Business

Another major pillar of Carroll's post-Allan reset is repair work with the local business community, following years of complaints over Melbourne’s economic sluggishness and high tax rates. The Premier announced a "rhetorical reset," signaling that his government is firmly in the corner of employers and entrepreneurs.

"I’ll roll the red carpet out for them," Carroll declared. "I want to grow our economy. We have the best, most skilled workforce in the nation." While he stopped short of promising immediate cuts to payroll or land taxes, he stated that the message from the business sector had been heard. Furthermore, in a nod to the future economy, Carroll has appointed Anthony Carbines as Victoria’s first-ever Minister for Artificial Intelligence, while promising better community guidelines around the establishment of high-energy data centers.

Gambling Reforms and Treaty Commitment

Looking at community issues, the Premier expressed deep concern over the high concentration of poker machines in Melbourne’s western suburbs, flagging a need for stronger guardrails around both electronic gaming machines and online gambling advertisements.

However, when it comes to social policy, Carroll remains firmly aligned with Labor’s existing trajectory, offering unequivocal support for Victoria's historic treaty process with First Peoples—a process the Coalition Opposition has vowed to dismantle if elected. "Treaty is good for all Victorians," Carroll said. "This is about making sure we acknowledge the past and build a better, brighter future for everyone."

With only months remaining until the state election, Carroll’s rapid-fire policy adjustments represent a high-stakes bid to secure a fourth consecutive term for Labor after 12 years in power.