Eddie McGuire breaks news of Daniel Andrews’ resignation at AFL Grand Final lunch
Eddie McGuire returned to his journalism roots to break the state’s scoop of the year. Listen to the moment a crowd of heavyweights erupted at the news of Dan’s departure.
Victoria
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Eddie McGuire announced news of Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ resignation to The Carbine Club AFL Grand Final luncheon at Crown to huge applause.
McGuire broke the news to the luncheon about 10 minutes before Mr Andrews’ snap press conference started.
It was like a 100-1 outsider had just got up as a rousing cheer broke out, attendees whooping and whistling in glee.
One person at the lunch was heard saying: “Don’t let that door hit you on the way out, Dan.”
‘He’s standing down because things have fallen apart’
Opposition leader John Pesutto said Mr Andrews leaves a legacy of blowouts, cons and a jobs for mates culture.
“Daniel Andrews has made his announcement today because frankly, and regrettably, the truth, caught up with him,” he said.
“The facts are the Premier Daniel Andrews is standing down today because things have fallen apart.
“The legacy that Daniel Andrews leaves is a state that is broke.
“A debt of over $200bn that generations of Victorians will have to pay for and make sacrifices for this level of debt will compromise the future.”
Mr Pesutto said Victorians were worse off today than nine years ago when Mr Andrews began as Premier.
“It takes longer to wait for a hospital bed, it takes longer to wait for an ambulance, it costs more than anywhere else in the country to send your kid to a government school in Victoria,” he said.
Mr Pesutto said the state’s problems would continue, despite the change in leadership.
“It doesn’t really matter who takes over from Daniel Andrews, whether it’s Jacinta Allan or Ben Carroll. It’s in the DNA of this government to cover up … brush under the carpet issues that we need to shine a light on,” he said.
“Jacinta Allan has been a co-author of all of the debacle under the Andrews government.
“She’s been there when major projects have blown out in fact, she has been in charge of those major projects. She was at the wheel when the Commonwealth Games went off the road.”
The opposition leader, however, acknowledged the Premier’s service in parliament, wishing him well in the future.
“I do take this opportunity to wish Mr Andrews well with his family and all that he does in the future,” he said.
The opposition leader will postpone a planned reshuffle of his leadership team due to the Premier’s resignation.
Mr Pesutto said changes to Labor’s ministry would mean a shift in the Liberals shadow cabinet.
“I’m going to postpone that until we see what the lineup of a new ministry is,” he said.
“There’s obviously going to be a Labor reshuffle, so I think it is very sensible and reasonable.”
Mr Pessuto said the Liberals were currently undecided about whether they will run a candidate when Mr Andrews seat of Mulgrave faces a by-election.
“As a party, we’ll be discussing that over today in the coming days and we’ll have more to say tomorrow, but certainly, we’ve shown a willingness to take up the fight wherever we can,” he said.
Mulgrave locals split on Premier’s resignation
Locals in Daniel Andrews seat of Mulgrave appear to be split on the Premier’s resignation, with some sad to see him go and others celebrating his departure.
The Andrews neighbour, Adam Acreman, said he wasn’t shocked to see the Premier resign after a tough few years for his family.
“A few years ago I thought he might have left the job because it was getting too much, obviously huge on the family, but he stuck through for everyone and it’s probably time to go,” he said.
“Security non stop, 24 hours. We’ve never not had security in the street. It would have been really hard. Hardest job in Australia, at this time.”
“Obviously there has been mistakes made but through life we all make mistakes
Mr Acreman said Mr Andrews and his family had “always been amazing” to his own family.
“A lot of good things have happened in Mulgrave through Dan and a lot of good things have happened in Victoria,” he said.
Local worker, Dean Evans, however, said it was “a happy day for Victoria”.
“Victoria should all be on the beers tonight, tomorrow night and for the rest of the year,” he said.
“I can’t stand him. It’s been a bit of a dictatorship for the past three or four years since Covid.”
The Premier’s mailman Michael Pogrzeba said the Andrews family had always been friendly, especially Catherine Andrews.
“I’ve been doing this round for 10 years and I’ve only seen him twice … I’ve spoke to his wife a lot and she’s always been friendly.”
He said he wasn’t phased who replaced Mr Andrews, doubting the new Premier or Mulgrave MP would make a difference.
“I don’t really care either way, to be honest with you because I just replaced with someone else who does the same thing,” he said.
“I know people hate him but you don’t know him. I probably hate a few things that have happened, like the amount of money that has been lost to stupid decisions but others may have made the same mistakes.”
Angela Mallios, who works at the Wanda St Bakery in Mulgrave, said Mr Andrews often came in to grab a pie or sausage roll.
“He’s a lovely guy. Our kids used to go to school together. I think he’s done the best he can,” she said.
“There’s maybe a few things (that I didn’t agree with) but it is what it is.”
One local long-time local, who wished not to be named, said Mr Andrews was a “dictator” who “ruled with an iron first”.
“You step out of line and you pay the price,” he said
“What he did to this state: the lockdowns, the suicide, the hotel quarantine … what’s worse than him is the people that supported him.”
“I’m glad he’s gone but I’d like it if, in a way, he paid for it. If he paid for, you know, what he’d done to us.
“But I’m a firm believer in karma - no one escapes that.
“Good riddance.”
‘Extraordinary legacy that will endure for generations’
Meanwhile, Anthony Albanese paid tribute to his old friend, saying Mr Andrews’ leadership was tested by “some of the toughest times”.
“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,” the Prime Minister 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 Albanese said Mr Andrews didn’t waste a minute during his nine years as premier, and “never shirked the hard decisions” during the Covid pandemic.
“Dan’s leadership was tested by some of the toughest times,” he said.
“He fronted up, he stood up and he did everything in his power to keep Victorians safe.
“As Prime Minister, it was a pleasure for me to work alongside an old friend – and a leader of such vision and ambition.
“It made a huge difference to sit at the national cabinet table with someone who believed so deeply in the power of government to change lives for the better.”
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said Mr Andrews was “a giant” and his resignation marked the end of a great contribution to Australian politics.
Mr Marles said the Premier had not only got the state through some of the most difficult periods in recent history, including the Black Summer bushfires and Covid pandemic, but made it stronger.
“Dan Andrews is a giant,” Mr Marles said.
“Having delivered a strong Labor majority in the state parliament three times, Dan Andrew’s leaves on top.”
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas said Mr Andrews had been a “strong, thoughtful and progressive Premier”, adding he had admired his tenacity when they worked closely at national cabinet.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it had been a pleasure to work alongside Mr Andrews, while NSW Premier Chris Minns wished him and his family all the best for the future.
Former Andrews government Minister Jaala Pulford said she was “so happy for Dan and his family”.
“They have much to look forward to in their life after politics,” she said.
“Whether it has been with farmers in drought or women with endometriosis Dan always brought exceptional care to his work.”
Municipal Association of Victoria president David Clark said Mr Andrews will be remembered as a leader of conviction.
“Without doubt, Premier Andrews has left his mark on the state, leading Victoria through unprecedented challenges and implementing a wide spanning program of legislative reform – particularly social reform,’’ Mr Clark said.
“He has led from front, and consistently been unafraid of making tough decisions.”
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Paul Guerra acknowledged Mr Andrews’ commitment to the state.
“I extend my thanks to Premier Daniel Andrews for his dedicated service to the State of Victoria over the past nine years as Premier,” he said.
“The Premier’s term as Premier has been extensive and will be categorised as one that has advanced social solutions and infrastructure in this State.
“The Chamber remains committed to working closely with the government to address the key issues facing our business community.
“We wish the Premier and his family all the very best for their future.”
Australian Industry Group Victorian head Tim Piper said Mr Andrews’ resignation marked the “end of an era in Victorian politics”.
“He has been a formidable leader and politician, and his electoral success showed that he understood the Victorian electorate better than anyone else. He was always his own man and he leaves office on his own terms,” he said.
“Mr Andrews started his premiership with the promise of having a big vision for the state and went on to pursue and deliver the biggest of infrastructure projects, especially in and around Melbourne.
“In dealing with the Covid pandemic he governed the State through some of our most tumultuous times. Whether or not you agreed with his approach he proudly took personal responsibility for it and his tireless approach to work saw him front up for media questioning 120 days in a row.”
Mr Piper said the next Premier will have an opportunity for a fresh start but must concentrate on reducing debt and encouraging business rather than imposing new costs and regulations.
“In starting afresh, the new Premier will also have the chance to have a proper look at the State’s Covid response, potentially through a state Royal Commission,” he said.
“We need to know what happened, what we did well and what we could have done better so that we are prepared for the next pandemic.”
Victorian Greens leader Samantha Ratnam thanked Mr Andrews for his service to Victoria.
“When Labor chooses their successor, we look forward to working with them to solve the big issues facing our state,” she said.
“These include climate change and the dangerous summer conditions we are about to head into, the housing crisis that is driving record levels of homelessness, and the cost-of-living pressures bearing down on people.
“While we have had ideological differences at times, there have been some big steps forward for Victoria that we have been glad to support and work together on.”
‘He made Victoria the best state in Australia to work in’
Victorian Trades Hall Council said Mr Andrews had made Victoria the best state in the nation to be a worker.
Trades Hall Secretary Luke Hilakari said Mr Andrews “always embraced the enduring links between the Australian Labor Party and the union movement”.
“For nearly a decade, the partnership between the Victorian Government and Victorian unions has meant better outcomes for workers,” Mr Hilakari said.
“One of his many legacies is to have made Victoria the best state in Australia to work in.
“Victoria is a fairer and safer place for workers thanks to his many legislative reforms.
“Dan Andrews leaves as a firm friend of the hall.”
United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall, who on Tuesday led a mass rally criticising the Andrews government, said he wished Mr Andrews’ and his family well in retirement. “His legacy is one which cannot be ignored,” he said.
Karen from Brighton reacts
Karen from Brighton, aka Jodi Grollo, was overjoyed at Mr Andrews resignation uploading a video to Instagram of her singing a farewell song while sipping champagne.
Ms Grollo went viral during the Covid pandemic lockdowns after a cameo on Channel 9 news where she declared she had “done all of Brighton”.
The daughter of billionaire pokies baron Bruce Mathieson, Grollo said she was moving to Queensland and voiced her anti-Andrews views, saying “Dan and his cronies have done my head in. I have to go for my mental health.”
‘Time for a reset’
Jims Group founder Jim Penman, who has been a big critic of Mr Andrews throughout the pandemic, welcomed the resignation.
“Now is the time for a reset in Victoria to support businesses which provide the engine room for the state,” he said.
“Independent operators were treated shabbily by Andrews during the pandemic, prevented from working without any justification in terms of health or safety. This has been proved by the failure of the Andrews government to present any such justification, after being challenged in court.
“I look forward to working with a new leader who is committed to the welfare and rights of small business owners.”
‘What have we got to show for a record level of debt?’
Senior federal Liberal MP Dan Tehan blasted Mr Andrew’s legacy saying he had left both the state and Victorians poorer.
“As we face a very deadly fire season this summer, we have the Country Fire Authority screaming out for volunteers and that’s a direct result of the legacy Dan Andrews has left our fire services in,” the Wannon MP said.
“We have youth mental health at remarkably high levels as a result of the shutting of schools and of playgrounds during the pandemic.
“We have people feeling incredibly unsafe driving on country roads right across the state because the Victorian State Government can’t afford to fix them.
“What have we got to show for a record level of debt which is the combined debt of NSW, Queensland and Tasmania? Very little.”
‘Like a kid on Christmas morning’
United Australia Party Victorian Senator Ralph Babet said he felt “overwhelming joy” about Mr Andrews’ resignation.
“I haven’t felt so much joy since I was a five-year-old waking up on Christmas Day,” Mr Babet said.
“When I think of Dan and his governance of our state, I have not one positive word to say. His resignation is nine years too late. He has left a trail of economic and social destruction that we may never overcome. We’re flat broke because of him.
“Victorians will never forget the sadistic brutality of Labor Premier Dan Andrews and Victoria will immediately be a better place without him at the helm. May this be the end of the woke socialist regime in our state of Victoria.”
‘His extensive legacy will remain for years to come’
Victorian Ambulance Union boss Danny Hill said Mr Andrews had delivered the “greatest investment” in ambulance services.
‘While we haven’t agreed on everything, his government has demonstrated every day that it’s better to work with paramedics and ambulance workers than to be at war with them,” he said.
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick, who Mr Andrews paid tribute to in his resignation, said he was “saddened” by the announcement.
“In my time as Branch Secretary, I have worked with five Victorian premiers, both Labor and Liberal. None have been as willing to meet, listen, and to act on, the concerns and wishes of Victoria’s nurses and midwives,” she said.
“Mr Andrews was the first party leader, and then premier, to reach out to nurses and midwives and to listen, learn and act – listen to our concerns, learn from our experience, and to act on our asks, not just during election campaigns but before, after and between elections.
“Since his first day in office, Mr Andrews has always delivered on what he has promised to Victoria’s nurses and midwives. He has not been afraid to make the tough decisions when necessary, and our workforce is better off for that boldness and determination.
“Mr Andrews extensive legacy will remain for many years to come, and the state’s nurses, midwives and carers will continue to benefit.”
‘Not an easy job’
Western Australia Labor Premier Roger Cook acknowledged his contribution to public life.
“Being the Premier is an honour but it’s not an easy job — it involves long hours, difficult decisions, and constant scrutiny,” he said.
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