‘A State That Is Broke’: Opposition Responds to Resignation of Daniel Andrews

Victorian Opposition Leader Giovanni Pesutto addresses the media at the Parliament of Victoria in Melbourne in Australia, on March 27, 2023. AAP Image/Diego Fedele

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto has condemned outgoing Labor Premier Daniel Andrews for leaving the state “broke” in a press conference after the premier’s surprise resignation.

Mr. Andrews announced he would be stepping down as Premier of Victoria on Tuesday afternoon.

Mr. Pesutto said Andrews had resigned because the “truth has caught up with him.”

“The legacy that Dan Andrews leaves is a state that is broke,” he told media.

“We live in the state with the highest taxes.”

During the pandemic, the Andrews government presided over 263 days of COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 and 2021 with capital Melbourne breaking the record for the world’s longest lockdown at the time. During the lockdown, videos also emerged of police firing rubber pellets at protestors.

The outgoing Victorian premier has also recently come under fire for cancelling the Commonwealth Games and imposing multiple new taxes. Victoria’s debt is projected to reach $171.4 billion in 2027.

Mr. Pesutto said he was not surprised the premier had resigned, in spite of promising Victorians he would serve a full term.

“Despite telling the Victorian people he would serve a fall term, he knew he wouldn’t,” the opposition leader said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media in Melbourne, Australia, on Oct. 17, 2021. Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Prime Minister Praises Andrews

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the premier could be proud he “didn’t waste a minute” as premier of Victoria.

“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,” he 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.”

Mr. Andrews served as Victorian premier for nine years and leader of the Labor Party for 13 years.

On X (formerly known as Twitter), the outgoing premier shared a picture of his family and said “leading this state has been the greatest of gifts, every single day. Thank you Victoria.”

“It’s not an easy decision, because as much as we’ve achieved together, there’s so much more to do,” he also told reporters.

“But when it’s time, it’s time. Recently I have been speaking to my kids and Cath. Thoughts of what life will be like after this job have started to creep in.

“And I have always known that the moment that happens, it’s time to go, and to give this privilege, this amazing responsibility, to someone else.”

Succession Plan

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan is the favourite to take over the top job from Mr. Andrews. Ms. Allan is also a member of Labor’s socialist left faction.

In a post on X on Sept. 26, she confirmed she would be putting up her hand for the leadership.

“Congratulations Premier. An unparalleled legacy that has changed our state forever and for the better,” she said.

“I will be putting myself forward to lead our party and continue the extraordinary work of our Labor government.”

A Labor caucus will meet tomorrow morning to decide on the next Victorian premier.

Mr. Andrews’ resignation will be effective from 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

Opposition Leader Pesutto will postpone a planned Liberal shadow cabinet reshuffle until the new leader and cabinet is chosen.