Lockdown Critics React to Resignation of Premier Daniel Andrews

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks during a press conference in Melbourne, Australia, on Sept. 9, 2023. Police have ruled out any terror links after a car rammed pedestrians and other vehicles in Melbourne's CBD, killing one person and injuring five others. AAP Image/Joel Carrett

Medical experts have reacted to the resignation of the leader of the Australian state Victoria.

Premier Daniel Andrews resigned from the top job on Sept. 26 afternoon, revealing plans to spend more time with family.

Stanford University Professor of Medicine Dr. Jay Bhattacharya was quick to respond.

“Huzzah! Dan Andrews is resigning as Victoria premier and is apparently leaving politics,” he said in an X (formerly Twitter) post.

Sharing his views on the COVID-19 response, he added: “I can’t wait until every single unrepentant covid tyrant leaves public life.”

In 2021, Mr. Bhattacharya described lockdowns as “the biggest public health mistake we’ve ever made.”

He also recently criticised U.S. President Joe Biden’s recommendation that all Americans receive the latest COVID vaccine as “irresponsible.”

Mr. Bhattacharya paid a visit to Melbourne in 2022, where he lamented the impact of lockdowns and school closures.

“If I’m looking for a place where I’m likely to see the psychological harms from lockdowns, I would look here,” he said in quotes cited by The Age newspaper at the time.

“If I’m looking to see what effect the lockdowns and extended closures of schools had on children, I would look here.”

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews speaks to the media at a press conference in Melbourne, Australia, on July 27, 2021. Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

COVID-19 Lockdowns

The retiring Mr. Andrews presided over 263 days of COVID-19 lockdown in the state’s capital, Melbourne.

U.S. actor and comedian Rob Schneider weighed in on Mr. Andrews retirement, saying Australia was awakening “from it’s COVID-19 tyranny nightmare.”

Posting to his 1.6 million followers, he linked to an article with the quote: “Dan Andrews shirks accountability for COVID response.”

Consultant pathologist and member of the Health Advisory and Recovery Team (HART) Dr. Clare Craig also shared a post with footage from a Melbourne lockdown protest in 2021, saying “Thanks for reminding us ...”

While investigative medical reporter Dr. Maryanne Demasi, a doctorate in rheumatology, joined the chorus of farewells for Mr. Andrews.

“After terrorising Victorians during the pandemic, imposing one of the longest lockdowns globally, and threatening citizens who chose to reject an experimental medical therapy, Daniel Andrews resigns as premier of Victoria. Bye,” she posted on X.

‘Never Shirked the Hard Decisions:’ Albanese

The outgoing premier has also received praise for his handling of COVID-19.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Mr. Andrew’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,” he said.

“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.”