Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan sat down to talk at length to Neos Kosmos on the eve of Anzac Day and in the lead up to Greek Easter.
A long table at Vanilla in Oakleigh was burdened with koulouria, tsourekia and an assortment of butter biscuits as the servers delivered coffees in military precision for our discussion.
“I will have one of those”, the premier said as she sat – her eyes fixed on a chocolate-dipped butter biscuit.
“Ok, you have the chocolate, and I take the other – deal,” said a pragmatic premier after negotiating with our journalist, who had claimed the chocolate biscuit.
Her Greek parliamentary colleagues accompanied Premier Allan, the minister for the environment, tourism and major events, Steve Dimopoulos, the local member, and Nick Staikos, her parliamentary secretary and member for Bentleigh.
The space grew louder as locals moved to meet her. In contrast, others, driven by innate Greek curiosity, rose to see what was happening. Still, Allan, a seasoned politician, was at ease.
“I love to talk to people. I love to engage and, importantly, listen, take on board the views, the feedback, and the concerns, and take action.
The premier told Neos Kosmos that she has “always taken a practical approach as a member of parliament and minister and now as premier”.
“I have a responsibility to get out, meet people where they are, hear their issues and concerns, and then take action.”
Asked about her approach, particularly after her authoritative and often polarising predecessor, Allan said she wants “conversations.”
“I like to have conversations around the table – to encourage debate and discussion, but once we’ve made the decision, we can get on and do things.”
The premier expressed a commitment to looking at proposals to the government on sustaining the use of the Greek language in state schools.
“Language is so central to keeping culture alive and strong.
“It’s important because, through language, we are making sure the next generation understands the language and passes it on because that’s how you keep culture alive,” said Allan.
The Bendigo-born member for Bendigo East came into the parliament in 1999, following in the footsteps of another regional premier, Steve Bracks, who was born in Ballarat.
“I am acutely aware of the importance of the government providing services so kids from working families like mine can get a good education, access health services to get a job and have those transport connections that ensure it.”
Allan said she grew up in Bendigo close to a local Greek family and how her “regional values align with Greek values.”
“I grew up on the outskirts of Bendigo, close to a Greek family, and we grew up together in the 70s, and you know, today, we keep in contact with the family.”
She went to primary school with one of their sons, who “didn’t speak English when he started primary school, and so, growing up, I saw how the family worked through those challenges and barriers to succeed.”
“I think that’s a story that is told many times across the state,” said the premier.
Premier Allan said that the Greek community has enormously impacted Victoria.
“Mirror that against the enormous depth and influence that Greek culture has had going back thousands of years to civilization, in my view the Greek community has had an enormous cultural contribution, which is very deep.”
She said that her values had remained the same since her inaugural speech. “I think growing up in regional Victoria I’m aware of a lack of opportunities, and that comes that’s deep in my DNA”.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan covered a range of issues such as violence towards women, skills, education, capital project cost blow-outs, land tax, cultural deals with Greece, and the Greek language. She even hinted at cost-of-living relief in the upcoming budget. The full interview will be published in Neos Kosmos next week.
