Introduction
Jacinta Marie Allan (born 19 September 1973) is an Australian politician. She has been an Australian Labor Party member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly since 1999, representing the electorate of Bendigo East. She has been Minister for Public Transport and Minister for Employment in the Andrews Ministry since December 2014. She previously held a range of ministries in the Bracks Ministry (1999–2007) and Brumby Ministry (2007–2010).
A member of a prominent Bendigo political family, she is the granddaughter of the late Bendigo Trades Hall Council President William Allan.
Political career
Allan served in the political offices of Steve Gibbons and Neil O'Keefe after completing her BA at La Trobe University in Bendigo. Allan was first elected at the 1999 state election at the age of 25, making her the youngest ever female parliamentarian in Victoria. She entered the ministry after the 2002 election, serving as Minister for Education Services and Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs.
After a cabinet reshuffle in 2006 Allan's responsibilities were altered slightly, losing Youth Affairs in exchange for Women's Affairs. She was promoted in August 2007 in a reshuffle sparked by the accession of John Brumby to the premiership. In 2010, she became Minister for Industry and Trade after Martin Pakula became Transport Minister following the resignation of Lynne Kosky.
Allan was targeted by Right to Life organisations during her election campaign in 2010, having voted for abortion reform in parliament during 2008. This targeting did not appear to have influenced her vote. She retained her seat with only a slight swing against her.
After the defeat of the Brumby government in November 2010, Allan became manager of opposition business in the Legislative Assembly, as well as opposition spokeswoman for Roads, Regional and Rural Development and Bushfire Response. Since this time, Allan has also served as police and emergency services spokesperson.
In a reshuffle announced in December 2013, Allan became Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Regional Cities and Regional & Rural Development, in addition to her responsibilities as Manager of Opposition Business.
After the Victorian state election, 2014, Allan was appointed as Minister for Public Transport and Minister for Employment.
Personal life
Allan grew up and completed her education in Bendigo where her parents still live. She married her first husband Ben Davis in February 2004. They divorced in 2008. She married Yorick Piper on 21 January 2012. Allan and Piper have two children.