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AAP
AAP
Politics
Rachael Ward

Basketballer and gardener: Allan introduces herself

Jacinta Allan says she's a working parent with typical interests who understands family pressures. (Con Chronis/AAP PHOTOS)

Basketball fan, gardener and Harry Potter enthusiast is how Jacinta Allan introduced herself as a person to Victoria on her first full day as premier.

While playing golf is a top priority for her predecessor Daniel Andrews during his political retirement, don't expect Ms Allan to ever step out on the green. 

"No disrespect to golfers, and my husband recently re-engaged with the sport, it's not my thing," Ms Allan laughed.

The career politician has been keen to portray herself as a working parent with typical interests who understands pressures on families, saying it is central to the values she brings to her new role.

Far from an average worker or even politician, Ms Allan was elected to parliament at the age of 25 and by 29 was the state's youngest minister.

She became deputy premier in 2022, took on the transport infrastructure portfolio during Victoria's 'Big Build' and was charged with delivering the now-cancelled 2026 Commonwealth Games.

She lives in Bendigo in central Victoria with her two children and husband, saying most Friday nights she can be found watching her son play basketball.

Ms Allan is the number one ticket holder for her local team, the Bendigo Spirit, a fan of the Harry Potter series and has been watching several Star Wars television spin-off series.

"I drop off the kids to school, I won't tell you which supermarket I go to in Bendigo but I'm out and about all the time talking to people in my daily life which is reflective of the Victorian community," she said.

The people she meets have a big influence on her work, she says.

"Hearing from them directly, their concerns and issues and turning that into other actions at a local level or policy responses at a statewide level is what I'll continue to do," she said.

Ms Allan's children, aged nine and 11, have told her they're proud of her and are apparently responsible for her Star Wars viewing habits.

"They're definitely firm in their own views, but the kids are a tremendous source of support for me," she said.

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