Daniel Andrews steps down as Victorian premier

Daniel Andrews is stepping down as Victorian premier after nine years in power, saying he decided to resign from the job and as member for Mulgrave “very recently”.

He made the unexpected announcement on Tuesday afternoon at a snap press conference, giving the media just 40 minutes’ notice, and said his term in office would officially end at 5pm on Wednesday.

Andrews assumed office in December 2014 and led the Victorian Labor Party to a third term of government at last November’s state election.

“I’ve made my mind up in the last few days,” he told reporters.

Andrews said being premier was a defining feature of his life.

“You never want to get to a place where you resent this job, this amazing privilege,” he said.

Daniel Andrews called a snap press conference on Tuesday, announcing his resignation.Credit: Jason South

“I am worse than a workaholic. Every waking moment is about the work. And there’s only so long you can do that.”

The outgoing premier thanked his wife, Catherine, and their three children for their support over his time in politics.

“I came to the decision very recently. I was very keen to get the housing statement done,” he said.

He said he knew as got to the final stage of the housing statement that it would perhaps be the last big reform he did.

The premier was asked if his 2021 back injury, which caused him to miss several months of work, contributed to his decision.

“Perhaps you have not ever really understood this about me ... I’ve never complained about the fact we had to deal with fire and flood and a one-in-100-year pandemic – that is the job,” he said.

He said the next premier would be chosen by caucus at midday on Wednesday, and he would not have a vote.

“It is a matter for [my] colleagues and I am deeply respectful of that process.”

Andrews was supported by his wife and children at the press conference on Tuesday afternoon.Credit: Jason South

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan has confirmed she will nominate to be the state’s next Labor leader and, therefore, its next premier.

“I will be putting myself forward to lead our party and continue the extraordinary work of our Labor government,” she wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Andrews said he told Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about his decision to step down before the public announcement, revealing that the nation’s leader was “a little shocked” by the news.

Albanese, who once shared a Canberra flat with Andrews, paid tribute to his Labor colleague and friend on ABC News after the announcement.

“Daniel Andrews is a man of great conviction, enormous compassion, and a fierce determination to make a difference,” he said.

“You can measure his contribution to nine years, three election [victories] – the last one with an increased majority.

“What you can really measure it on is the fact he is a builder, he has built enormous infrastructure benefits for Victoria. He has rebuilt the health system, a passion of his from his time as health minister and, indeed, during the pandemic as well. He has rebuilt schools, and in the announcement that he has made as well last week, he is determined to deal with the challenges of housing.”

At a later press conference, Albanese said he was not concerned that Labor’s popularity would suffer from Andrews’ resignation because of “the hot mess that is the Victorian Liberal Party”.

State Liberal Party leader John Pesutto said that, in his view, Andrews was resigning “because things are falling apart”.

Pesutto, talking on radio station 3AW, acknowledged Andrews had been a parliamentarian and premier for a long time but said “the truth” was the premier was departing due to what he described as a litany of issues confronting the state.

“Whether it’s debt, whether it’s interest, whether it’s taxes going through the roof to plug the budget black hole,” he said.

“Whether it’s the Commonwealth Games debacle ... whether it’s corruption report after corruption report into the government ... I think it is clear – whilst I recognise his service to the parliament and the people – he is leaving because things have become so bad.

“I think we needed to see a reset and a departure. I think it was time for him to go – that time was some time ago.”

Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh echoed his Liberal counterpart’s sentiments, saying: “Please, whoever is the future premier, let’s have a reset.”

Former premier John Brumby, who was the last Labor leader of Victoria before Andrews, said Andrews leaves “a fantastic legacy for the state”.

“I know there are many people with divided views about the premier, but he won three elections,” Brumby told 3AW. “He’s invested hugely in the infrastructure, which improves people’s lives.”

Former Liberal premier Jeff Kennet told Nine News it “would be wonderful” if Andrews’ deputy took the top job.

“Jacinta [Allan] is the one who has overseen the total blowout of all the infrastructure projects in the state,” he said.

“I want to see Jacinta there as the next leader. I really do. I wish her well and I will speak to her politely and nicely. And if she gets the job, I will welcome her. It would be fantastic.”

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