Daniel Andrew’s Pandemic Management a ‘Legacy of His Strength’: Minister

Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews arrives ahead of the Labor caucus meeting at Victorian Parliament House in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 27, 2023. Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Australian federal NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme) Minster Bill Shorten has praised outgoing Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Andrews dropped his bombshell resignation announcement from politics on Sept. 26, saying it was time for him to go.

The premier will officially step down from his role at 5 p.m. on Sept. 27.

The announcement has generated different reactions from the public and political leaders as they look back at Mr. Andrews’ nine-year term.

Praised for Handling of COVID-19 Pandemic

During an interview with ABC Radio, Mr. Shorten believed toughness was the key to Mr. Andrew’s “success” as the longest-serving Victorian premier.

“He set a direction, and that was where he stood. He’s come through two of the biggest challenges we’ve seen, the [Black] Summer bushfires and floods. But also, I think the pandemic is a legacy of his strength,” Mr. Shorten said.

The minister also defended Mr. Andrews’ pandemic policies, saying he did not believe the former premier was trying to centralise power through his office at the time.

“Back to those first few days in March of 2020, the aim was to ensure that we had enough hospital space to be able to treat people if they got very sick, and I think that required a high degree of central leadership,” he said.

“But he’s got a team of pretty capable ministers. So they’re all doing lots of different things themselves.”

The Andrews government implemented strict lockdowns and vaccine and mask mandates during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Melbourne, Victoria’s capital city, was plunged into the world’s longest lockdown of 263 days, resulting in huge economic losses for local businesses.

The Victorian government also slapped $100 million worth of fines on its residents for violating the state’s COVID-19 policies.

Harsh lockdown and vaccine mandates prompted tens of thousands of Victorians to take to the streets to voice their objection and call for Mr. Andrews to resign in November 2021.

NDIS Minister Bill Shorten looks on during question time at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on March 17, 2021. Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Meanwhile, Treasurer Jim Chalmers also spoke highly of Mr. Andrews, saying he would go down in history as “one of the most consequential premiers since federation.”

“Really, quite a remarkable contribution to that great state of Victoria. Remarkable in its longevity. Remarkable in its impact,” he said.

“And after all of that time, and after all of that total commitment, he’s earned the right to spend time with that wonderful family of his, and I wish him well.”

Opposition Criticises Andrews Government’s Legacy

Following Mr. Andrews’ announcement, Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto said the Labor government’s centralisation of power during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant consequences for state residents.

“I think what made the lockdown so punishing for Victorians compared to the rest of the country is there was no contestability,” he told Sky News.

“There weren’t other views being heard around the cabinet table. In fact, the cabinet table was shrunk to a very small group, and parliament wasn’t convened.”

In addition, Mr. Pesutto said the state residents would reflect on the premier’s legacy of “debt, corruption, waste, and mismanagement.”

“The legacy is not a great one. Taxes are going up, and debts are going up,” he said.

“I think as we shift to a new Labor leader, whoever it is, whether is [Deputy Premier] Jacinta Allen or [Public Transport Minister] Ben Carroll, we are still going to get the same Labor party running the state.”

According to Victoria’s latest budget, the state borrowed $31.5 billion to pay for its pandemic policies.

The huge debt has forced the Labor government to introduce a repayment plan to address the amount owed, targeting large businesses and property owners.

Victoria’s net debt is forecasted to reach $116.9 billion in 2023 before surging to $171.4 billion in 2027.

The opposition leader also said the first test for the new Labor government was to reverse the centralisation of power.