Jacinta Allan has served our community, our state and the Labor movement with extraordinary dedication for more than 27 years.

As my dear friend and colleague, the outstanding Member for Bendigo East, and Victoria's second female Premier, Jacinta has always understood that public service is about doing the work—not seeking the credit.

Labor is in Jacinta's blood. Raised in a proud working-class family, she has always carried the values she was taught—hard work, fairness, family and looking after other —into everything she does.

Her contribution can be seen right across our region: the new Bendigo Hospital, new TAFE facilities and Free TAFE, new railway stations at Huntly, Goornong and Raywood, and significant investment in our roads, schools and public services. Bendigo East, Bendigo West and our entire region are stronger because of her leadership.

Across Victoria, Jacinta has helped build a world-class public health system, strengthen our schools and emergency services, deliver cheaper public transport, and invest in the infrastructure, workers and communities that keep our state moving.

Much of Jacinta's finest work was done quietly and diligently behind the scenes. She worked tirelessly, demanded high standards of herself and those around her, and was supported throughout by an exceptional and deeply committed team.

Our Labor family in Bendigo—our members, volunteers and supporters—is immensely proud and grateful to have had Jacinta lead both our state and our Party.

History will be kind to Jacinta. Her legacy will endure not only here in Bendigo, but in communities across Victoria that are stronger because of her vision, determination and commitment to public service.

The relentless personal attacks directed at Jacinta have been appalling and deserve to be called out. Across social media—and too often amplified by parts of the media—we have seen misinformation, distortion, manufactured outrage and personal cruelty masquerading as legitimate scrutiny. It is not. We teach our children to treat others with dignity and respect, and we should expect no less from our public debate.

Jacinta steps down as Premier with an extraordinary record of achievement and the deep respect of those who know her character, her work ethic, her brilliant wit and sense of humour, and above all, her unwavering commitment to the people she serves.

She remains the proud Member for Bendigo East, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside her. I thank Jacinta for her leadership, her service and, above all, her friendship.

Together, we will fight all the way to the November election to return a Labor Government that continues delivering for Bendigo and communities right across Victoria.

There is too much at stake. Some will try to convince Victorians that nothing works, nothing has been achieved and our state is broken beyond repair. That is simply not true. If we stop investing in people, services and infrastructure, we do not strengthen our state—we hollow it out. Regional communities feel that first and hardest.

I also warmly congratulate Ben Carroll on becoming Premier of Victoria. Ben is a hardworking and experienced Labor leader, and I look forward to working alongside him as we take our case to Victorians and continue building a fairer, stronger state.