Backroom Baz: Premier Daniel Andrew’s son rises as promising politician

Daniel Andrews’ much-rumoured departure will leave a gaping hope at Spring St, but could Victorian politics without an Andrews be short lived?

Could Victorian politics without an Andrews be short lived?

For some, the timing of Daniel Andrews’ much-rumoured departure from politics can’t come soon enough. For others, it will be a sad day on Spring St.

But could Victorian politics without an Andrews be short lived?

Baz is told Andrews’ oldest son, Noah, has emerged in the Monash University’s ALP Labor Club and is thought likely to be a candidate in next month’s Monash Association of Students elections.

Those who know him say Noah, who is studying law, is a verifiable chip of the old block. He’s certainly wasted no time getting involved in university public service, serving as both an Open Day Ambassador and as vice president of the Humanities and Social Sciences club.

The younger Andrews is currently working freelance as a legal research assistant at the prominent Brian Bourke Chambers, so surely a career in law, maybe even the bar, calls.

But with a political pedigree like his, perhaps the lure of Spring St will be too hard to ignore. It certainly wouldn’t be the first father-son matching in Victorian political history.

John Cain Sr was premier in the 1940s and 50s before his son scored the same job in the 1980s. Former Prime Minister Robert Menzies father James was also a Victorian MP before his son followed him onto Spring St on his way to Canberra.

Dan and dusted?

Speaking of the Premier, his uncharacteristic absence from parliament this week sparked the usual flurry of conspiracy theories.

Daniel Andrews was absent from parliament this week. Picture: David Geraghty

He was interstate playing golf, he was giving premier-in-waiting Jacinta Allan a test run ahead of his obvious retirement, he was in secret crisis meetings over the state of Victoria’s finances, or he was hiding from tough questioning from the ongoing fallout of the Commonwealth Games scrapping to name just a few.

The last of those perhaps the most ludicrous: Andrews isn’t known for running from a fight, he prefers to walk headfirst into with the sort of bravado comes with almost a decade in the top job.

Whatever he was doing (likely bingeing on Netflix with a cup of tea, a Bex and a good lie down), a week away from parliament is most uncharacteristic for a workaholic premier.

It’s prompted increased speculation that the end is in fact nigh.

MPs shine silverwear

Geelong Cats fans on Spring St were treated this week when a few players visited parliament with the premiership cup.

Southwest Coast MP Roma Britnell and Gryan Miers. Picture: Supplied

Among those who were pleased as punch was southwest Coast MP Roma Britnell who copped a photo with the hilariously named player Gryan Miers and revealed that the two are cousins.

“Nice to welcome Gryan Miers into parliament tonight,” Britnell posted. “Gryan is my cousin, and I know mum will particularly love this post as she keenly watches him in every game. Very proud family!”

Miers famously told media that his name came about from a game of Scrabble. Maybe he could borrow a few vowels from his parliamentary cousin?

Liberating name fix

It’s finally happened, the Liberal Democrats are no more.

After years of objections against their name by the Liberal Party, the former Lib Dems have become the Libertarian Party.

Libertarian MP, David Limbrick, said the name change was overwhelmingly supported by members.

“Our members let us know they hate being confused with the big government supporters of the Liberal Party,” he said.

“They are proud to be known as libertarians and so am I.

“Our philosophy is based on the fundamental idea that coercion, including imposing high taxes and attacking the liberty of individuals, is morally repugnant.

“As we like to say, libertarians are plotting to take over the world and leave everyone alone.”

Greener pastures for Fordy

More than a few Labor types were caught off guard with the announcement that Victorian party secretary Chris Ford was vacating the role.

Chris Ford.

Known as “Fordy” to his comrades, he has had a busy few years leading the branch while it was under administration, and playing a key role in two big election campaigns that went well for the party.

He’s now off to ARUP for a senior position in their economics division. Baz would say he’s off to greener pastures but mentioningthat colour is typically an insult to anyone in the ALP.

Overheard by Baz

“I digress for a moment, Speaker, to draw to the house’s attention a modern-day medical miracle: a dead man talking!”

– Treasurer Tim Pallas takes a pot shot at Opposition Leader John Pesutto during a raucous Question Time this week.

Guess who

Which Liberal operative has been accused of spreading malicious fake news about some of the party’s more conservative MPs?