Social media backlash after Daniel Andrews shares picture of ‘top shelf’ drink on Twitter

Dan Andrews is facing backlash over a tweet showing his drink of choice after a question about whether Victorians could finally ‘get on the beers’.

Daniel Andrews has been slammed on social media after making good on his promise to celebrate easing Melbourne’s restrictions with a drink from the top shelf.

The Victorian Premier posted a photo on Monday night of two glasses of Melbourne made Starward whisky just hours after removing the city’s lockdown and allowing businesses to reopen.

“Said I’d go a little higher up the shelf. Here’s to you, Victoria,” he wrote as the caption.

Mr Andrews also posted a photo of him eating a doughnut to celebrate Victoria achieving a zero new coronavirus infection day.

A spokeswoman for the Premier’s office confirmed Mr Andrews bought the bottle of whisky and it wasn’t a gift after Monday’s announcement. It costs about $120.

But not all Victorians were impressed with the quirky social media posts, with many reminding the Premier of his government’s coronavirus failures.

“Nice to see you can afford to drink while many of us are now out of work,” Peter Thornton replied.

“Dan Andrews no bad deed goes unpunished remember that when you drink your scotch,” Craig Christopher said.

Said I'd go a little higher up the shelf. Here's to you, Victoria. pic.twitter.com/JbsbmUxmoZ

— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) October 26, 2020

Daniel Lawrence Huynh wrote there was “nothing to cheer for” despite the reopening.

“Nothing to cheer for. Almost a thousand people are dead. Thousands of businesses went under and struggling. Millions of people are affected financially,” he said.

Victorian Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien also weighed in, telling reporters on Tuesday morning that the Premier posting photos of doughnuts and whisky was “tone deaf”.

“I actually thought him posting photos of himself with doughnuts and glasses of whisky, it was pretty tone deaf for those people who have suffered so much through this lockdown,” Mr O’Brien said.

But not all posts were negative and many thanked the Premier for his hard work.

“Dan like most Victorians I wish I could say this to you face. You have been an inspirational leader during these really difficult times. The calmness, respect and knowledge you display on a daily basis has been so reassuring to everyone. Thanks,” Stephen McNamara tweeted.

While Dan Cass wrote: “Cheers and thanks to all health workers. Heroes.”

Another user tweeted: “Cheers to you and your incredibly hard working team. Bottoms up Victoria. We did it!”

The post came after Mr Andrews was asked by a reporter at Monday’s reopening announcement whether it meant Victorians could now get back on the beers.

“Can I confirm you are saying we can finally get on the beers?” a reporter asked.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews finally had reason to smile at Monday’s reopening announcement. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Daniel Pockett

“I don’t know that I’ll be drinking a beer tonight,” Mr Andrews said. “I might go a little higher up the shelf.”

The question of whether or not Victorians can “get on the beers” has dogged Mr Andrews throughout the state’s coronavirus lockdown after he used the four-word phrase early on in the pandemic in an attempt to relate to voters and get them to abide by restrictions.

After announcing pubs and restaurants would close in March as Victoria shut down due to its first coronavirus wave, Mr Andrews uttered the now famous phrase.

“You won’t be able to go to the pub because the pub is shut,” he said on March 22.

“That doesn’t mean you can have all your mates around to (your) home and get on the beers, that’s not appropriate.”

The phrase “get on the beers” has since been used by Victorians as a measure to signify the state’s reopening level and has even been remixed into a dancefloor beat at a Western Australian music festival.