John Pesutto predicts Daniel Andrews will retire in 2023

The state’s opposition leader believes Victoria’s long-serving Premier Dan Andrews will be retired by the end of the year.

Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto believes he’ll be facing a different Labor leader at the next election, while predicting Premier Dan Andrews will quit politics this year.

Mr Pesutto has questioned Mr Andrew’s future as state leader, saying the premier has “checked out” as Victoria grapples with soaring debt.

Earlier projections forecast Victoria’s net debt will reach $171.4bn in the financial year of 2026-27.

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto says he believes the premier has ‘checked out’ of politics. Picture: NCA NewsWire /Luis Enrique Ascui

Mr Pesutto said if he’s elected at the next state election, due in late 2026, he was expecting the debt to be a lot higher than projected.

“We don’t know what we’ll inherit when by 2026 because we have seen reports from the parliamentary budget office and others which suggest that debt could be as high as $300bn, so it gets worse,” Mr Pesutto told 3AW on Monday.

“The damage will be deep, it will be long lasting, and it raises serious questions about what Daniel Andrews’ legacy will really be when he leaves office.

“Probably this year. Everything suggests that he’s checked out.”

Premier Daniel Andrews has been state leader since 2014. Picture: Valeriu Campan NCA NewsWire.

Mr Pesutto said his party was preparing to build a better future for Victoria, while also dealing with the increasing debt.

“We’re going to have to do it step by step and methodically,” he said.

“I’m not pretending, and I don’t want your listeners to think you can go in and click your fingers and it’s all fixed.

“The discussion we need to have is what is (Mr Andrews’) legacy, we need to understand that to fix it.”

Mr Andrews has led Labor to three consecutive election victories since 2014.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto beliefs Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews will soon no longer be on the floor of parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

However, he shut down rumours of his impending retirement telling reporters in June he works “seven days a week” and explained there was ”a lot more to do”.

“I think there’s been a story or two in some gossip columns. Do I really need to tell you that gossip shouldn’t be believed?” Mr Andrews said in June.