Peter Bannan
NORTHERN Victoria MP Jaclyn Symes has become, for just the second time in history, an Upper House premier.
Albeit briefly as she acts in the top job while Jacinta Allan and her deputy, Ben Carroll, take leave during the winter break.
The Herald Sun reported questions were asked if the Treasurer was eligible for it, given she sits in the upper house.
Convention requires the premier sit in the lower house of parliament, the Legislative Assembly, where the government is formed.
But inquiries revealed that as long as parliament isn’t sitting, there is no bar to Ms Symes carrying on the role.
Charles Sladen, in 1868, was the last, and until now, only premier to serve from the upper house.
