The resignation of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is drawing reactions from both sides of the political spectrum.
Andrews held a snap press conference where he announced he will step down from the role of premier and as member for Mulgrave at 5pm tomorrow.
The outgoing premier said while he is proud of his legacy, it will be for others to judge.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
“Daniel Andrews is a person of deep conviction, great compassion and fierce determination and he brought all those qualities to his time as Premier of Victoria,” Albanese said.
“Dan has always been a builder and in education, health, infrastructure and housing he has built an extraordinary legacy that will endure for generations.
“You can measure Dan’s time as Premier not just in years but in achievements. Opportunities created through TAFE and early education reform.
“Melbourne and the regions remade by record investments in infrastructure and public transport.
“An ambitious plan for the construction of 800,000 new homes right across Victoria.
“A new generation of powerful social progress on equality, action against family violence and investments in mental health.
“Dan’s leadership was tested by some of the toughest times.
“In the relentless pressure of a once-in-a-generation pandemic, Dan never shirked the hard decisions.
“He fronted up, he stood up and he did everything in his power to keep Victorians safe.
“As Prime Minister, it was a pleasure for me to work alongside an old friend – and a leader of such vision and ambition.
“It made a huge difference to sit at the National Cabinet table with someone who believed so deeply in the power of government to change lives for the better.
“Nearly nine years as Premier is a remarkable achievement. Dan Andrews can be proud that he didn’t waste a minute.
“I wish Dan, Cath and their children all the very best for their future together.”
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns took to social media to simply congratulate Andrews.
“All the best for the future and I hope you get to spend some time with Cath and the kids,” Minns said.
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Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk
Similar to her New South Wales counterpart, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wished Andrews well via social media.
“It has been a pleasure to work alongside Daniel Andrews,” Palaszczuk said.
“I wish him and his family all the best in the future.”
Broadcaster Neil Mitchell
The outgoing Premier refused to go on former 3AW radio host Neil Mitchell’s high-rating breakfast talkback show for more than five years, which was an ongoing point of frustration between the pair.
However, despite their differences, Andrews sent Mitchell a text message on the day he resigned and Mitchell said he would do the same.
The broadcaster said he didn’t see the resignation coming today but he had been thinking for several months Andrews was “on his last legs”.
“I think the body language was there, he was making political mistakes he wouldn’t normally make, he’s normally a superb political operator (and) he was getting a bit snarly in press conferences with minimum provocation,” he told 9News.
“I thought the signs were there that he was running out of puff.
“That’s fair enough, we all do that.”
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas congratulated Andrews on “a substantial political career working in the interests of the Victorian people” via social media.
“Dan Andrews has been a strong, thoughtful, and progressive Premier,” he said.
“Mr Andrews has served 21 years in the Victorian Parliament, 13 as Leader of the Labor Party and almost nine as Premier.
“He took the Victorian Labor Party from Opposition to Government in 2014 and has gone on to become that state’s longest serving Labor Premier.
“That is a substantial achievement, delivering significant reforms while contending with major challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I worked closely alongside Dan in National Cabinet and the Council for the Australian Federation. I admired his thoughtfulness and tenacity.
“I wish Dan, Cath and their family all the best for the next chapter of their lives.”
