Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ media profile overtakes PM Scott Morrison: Streem

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ media profile jumped around 900 per cent last month from a year earlier as the state’s coronavirus crisis deepened.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews speaks to the media during a press conference in Melbourne. Picture: Daniel Pockett

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’s media profile has skyrocketed but for all the wrong reasons.

As the coronavirus crisis deepens in Victoria, the Labor leader’s media profile jumped around 900 per cent in July, year-on-year.

There were just over 13,000 mentions of Mr Andrews across metropolitan media last month, of which half were on TV and radio stations. That compared to 10,045 mentions of prime minister Scott Morrison, according to real-time media monitoring group Streem.

The group’s analyst Conal Hanna says its “highly unusual” to see a premier generate anywhere near the PM’s media profile, and shows the extent to which the nation’s attention is focused on Victoria.

“The most anticipated figure in the country is the daily Victorian coronavirus case number, which Daniel Andrews has been delivering alongside health officers each day,” Mr Hanna said.

“That has led to a surge in his media profile, up around 900 per cent since this time a year ago.”

Still, Mr Morrison had more mentions in print than Mr Andrews last month.

Given the second wave in Victoria and fears of it spreading to other states, seven COVID-19-related issues have dominated news coverage over the past month.

“Melbourne restrictions” was the most mentioned, up nearly 400 per cent in July against the average of the previous three months.

“Hotel quarantine” jumped 277 per cent, while “elimination” rose 174 per cent.

The third most-mentioned politician was NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian following a major COVID-19 outbreak at the Crossroads Hotel in Sydney’s southwest last month, which led to some smaller outbreaks around the city.

Close behind the Liberal leader was Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk as the state’s coronavirus cases diminished. But new outbreaks in Sydney saw the Labor leader ban residents from some southwestern Sydney suburbs entering the state last month. The ban has since been extended to all residents of Greater Sydney, raising major concerns about Queensland’s fledgling economy.

Notably, federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese is trailing in fifth spot. Mr Albanese’s media profile has lagged behind Mr Andrews since the pandemic started in mid-March. He has also been overshadowed by Ms Palaszczuk.