Gabrielle Williams

Gabrielle Leigh Williams (born 27 October 1982) is an Australian politician and lawyer who has served as the deputy premier of Victoria since July 2026, holding office as the deputy leader of the Victorian Labor Party. She has been the member of parliament (MP) for the district of Dandenong since 2014.

Williams was born in Melbourne, attending Emmaus College and studying law and arts at Monash University. She joined the Labor Party as a student and later worked as a political adviser to ministers Peter Batchelor and Lily D'Ambrosio, before becoming a solicitor at law firm Baker McKenzie. Williams was elected to the Legislative Assembly for the district of Dandenong in the 2014 state election.

She was appointed to the Andrews ministry in 2018, where she held various cabinet portfolios across infrastructure, government services and human rights. She has served as the Minister for Education, Minister for Women and Gender Equality, Minister for Skills and Training, and Minister for First Peoples since August 2026. Williams became the deputy premier of Victoria and deputy leader of the Victorian Labor Party in July 2026, following the resignation of premier Jacinta Allan.

Background and early career Gabrielle Leigh Williams was born on 27 October 1982 in Melbourne, Victoria, the youngest of four girls. Her father worked as an electronics technician and for most of her life, her parents ran a small business repairing household electrical goods. She attended Emmaus College and graduated in 2000 before attaining a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University, with Honours.

Williams worked as a Ministerial Adviser to Minister for Energy and Community Development, Peter Batchelor and later, Minister for Community Development, Lily D'Ambrosio. She also worked as an Electorate Officer for Federal Member for Bruce, Alan Griffin. After completing her university studies Williams worked as solicitor at Baker McKenzie. While working as a solicitor, Gabrielle became the director of not-for-profit disability health organisation, Disability Sport and Recreation. Most recently before becoming an MP, Gabrielle worked as a Project Manager in the Office of the Vice Chancellor at The University of Melbourne. In December 2014, Williams was appointed as Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers. In July 2016, she became the Parliamentary Secretary for Industry, Employment and Volunteers. In November 2016, following a further reshuffle, Williams was appointed Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Parliamentary Secretary for Carers and Volunteers.

Upon the return of the Andrews Labor Government at the 2018 Victorian State Election, Williams entered the Ministry as the Minister for Women, Minister for Youth and the Minister for Prevention of Family Violence. Following the retirement of Gavin Jennings in March 2020, Williams was additionally appointed as Minister for Aboriginal Affairs but relinquished her role as Minister for Youth. In June 2022, Williams was appointed as Minister for Mental Health and Minister for Treaty and First Peoples. Ambulance Services was also added to her Ministerial portfolio in December 2022.

Williams is a member of the Australian Republic Movement and has voiced her support for the 'Yes' campaign in the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum.

Williams became deputy leader of the Victorian Labor Party and Deputy Premier during the 2026 Victorian Labor Party leadership election. Williams was also briefly elected as interim leader of the Victorian Labor Party and interim Premier after Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny of the left faction was nominated for the leadership. She ultimately relinquished those positions when Kilkenny withdrew allowing then-Deputy Premier Ben Carroll to assume those positions unopposed.

Personal life Williams has one son and has been open about her IVF journey and life as a solo mother by choice. She is a joint number one ticket holder for the Melbourne Storm, a supporter of the Collingwood AFL and AFLW teams, and number one ticket holder for the Southside Flyers WNBL team.