James Campbell: Daniel Andrews shameful photo op with the worst people on the planet

Though Dan Andrews isn’t much use to the Chinese Communist Party anymore, his family photo alongside the most evil dictators in the world sends a clear message to Australia: “see how easily we can own you”.

It’s shameful. It’s a disgrace. It’s an embarrassment.

But let’s be honest, it’s also exquisitely funny.

For months rumours have swirled around town that even though he’s making lots and lots of money, Daniel Andrews is struggling with the loss of power that comes with retirement.

But even so, the biggest Dan hater in their wildest dreams could never have imagined he would be so pathetically desperate for relevance that he would demean himself – and us – by flying to Beijing and appearing in a family photo with some of the worst people on the planet.

Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews poses with three of the most brutal dictators in the world — Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping and Kim Jong-un. Picture: AFP

It’s an Easter egg for the completists, that we never expected or deserved, and yet another vindication of my Three Rules of Dan:

1. Never give him the benefit of the doubt.

2. Because it’s always worse than you think.

3. Dan always wins.

No doubt you are wondering what he was thinking.

Options include:

1. “I’ve still got it.”

2. “This is showing the kids who mocked me at school.”

3. “How much do you reckon this is gonna be worth?”

More intriguing is what the Chinese government was thinking by allotting this provincial has-been a slot in the A-list thug photo.

After all, even in his pomp he only locked an entire state up for months – he hasn’t invaded his neighbours (Putin), murdered his relatives (Kim) or locked thousands of persecuted minorities in internment camps (Xi).

On deeper reflection however, you can see the attraction.

Though he’s not much use to them anymore, it sends a clear message to Australia: “see how easily we can own you”.

Looking at this picture, you can clearly understand why federal Labor moved so quickly to pass the Morrison government legislation that allowed Canberra to rip up Dan’s Belt-and-Road deal with Beijing.