Premier Daniel Andrews’ return date criticised by Liberals

Premier Daniel Andrews is days from helming the state again — but Opposition leader Michael O’Brien has questioned his return date.

Premier Daniel Andrews is just days away from his highly-awaited return, as his parliamentary colleagues prepare for a winter break.

Opposition leader Michael O’Brien said Victorians would be “cynical” about Mr Andrews returning to work just days after parliament suspends for five weeks.

Mr O’Brien said Daniel Andrews should be before parliament for the final sitting week so he could be scrutinised over the recent lockdown.

Premier Daniel Andrews is days from returning to work. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Daniel Pockett

Mr Andrews’ most recent appearance on March 4. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Andrew Henshaw

Mr Andrews will officially return to the top job on Monday, June 28 — 111 days since his last day at work. He fell down the stairs of a Sorrento property and suffered a serious spinal injury on March 9.

“I think people will be a little bit cynical about the fact that he only comes back when parliament is shut down for the next five or six weeks,” Mr O’Brien said outside parliament on Thursday.

“The Premier has apparently been running the show behind the scenes … I think it would’ve been better for Victorians and better for democracy if the Premier had been here this week to answer questions about our fourth lockdown.

Daniel Andrews received the Covid jab before his return to work.

Catherine Andrews gives the Premier a home haircut.

“We all know the Andrews Labor government is good at one thing – political stage management. That’s what it’s all about with Labor.”

Senior Andrews government Minister Jacinta Allan dismissed the increasing criticism of her boss.

“If that criticism is coming from those conspiracy theorists in the Liberal party, I’d just reject anything they have to say on Daniel’s health and wellbeing,” Ms Allan said.

“They’re more interested in peddling conspiracy theories than actually thinking about how someone recovers from a really serious injury.”

Daniel Andrews has been on leave since a fall on the Mornington Peninsula.

He n photographed wearing a brace.

Ms Allan added she had been in regular conversation with Mr Andrews while he was homebound.

“It’s certain to say those text messages have become a bit more frequent in the last week because I think he is starting to think about coming back next week,” she said.

“(Daniel) is definitely going to be fit and ready to go for next week.”

Asked whether Deputy Premier James Merlino could fall into the top job, Ms Allan said: “I think James is an outstanding colleague … He’s been outstanding during this period.”