Daniel Andrews return date remains unknown

The Victorian government still does not know when Daniel ­Andrews will return after the Premier was cleared from needing surgery and released from ­intensive care at the weekend.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

The Victorian government still does not know when Daniel ­Andrews will return after the Premier was cleared from needing surgery and released from ­intensive care at the weekend.

Acting Premier James Merlino said on Sunday more would be known in coming days after Mr Andrews tweeted he faced a long rehabilitation.

“It’s great to see him out of ­intensive care and into a ward — that’s a great step forward and a great relief to Dan, to Catherine (and) the kids … we’re really pleased about that,” he said.

“He also indicated it’s a long recovery and rehab (and) I don’t know exactly how long … that will be determined by the great team at The Alfred over coming days.”

Mr Merlino said he would provide an update when more was known about Mr Andrews’ recovery.

The Premier fractured a T7 vertebrae and broke several ribs when he slipped and fell at a holiday rental in the Mornington Peninsula last week.

He shared a photo of himself in hospital on Saturday wearing a back brace as he got “settled into new digs”.

“Thanks for all your messages and well wishes. It really means a lot,” he wrote.

Mr Merlino is in talks with the federal government to represent Victoria in Mr Andrews’ place at the next national cabinet meeting slated for April 9.

Proxies are prohibited under national cabinet rules, but Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday indicated that Mr Merlino would be ­allowed to attend, given the ­situation.