Libs slam Daniel Andrews’ legacy after quitting

The Victorian Liberal Party is hoping the end of Daniel Andrews will lead to the downfall of Labor.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - NCA NewsWire Photos SEPTEMBER 24, 2023 : State Opposition leader John Pesutto addressing the Victorian Liberal State Council conference at Moonee Valley Racing Club. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Ian Currie

The Liberal Party is banking on a sharp downturn in Labor’s fortunes after the resignation of Victorian premier Dan Andrews.

Opposition leader John Pesutto seized on the resignation to highlight policy failures under the Andrews government including a blown budget, the pandemic response and tax increases.

Senior Liberal strategists have been war-gaming the end of Mr Andrews’ leadership, on the assumption that he would leave politics well before the next election in 2026.

In a back-handed statement, Mr Pesutto noted Mr Andrews’ long service.

“I want to acknowledge Daniel Andrews for serving as Victorian Premier for nearly nine years and 21 years in the Victorian Parliament. I wish him and his family well for the future,’’ he said.

“The reality is Daniel Andrews is leaving now because things are falling apart in Victoria and he knows it.

“Under Daniel Andrews, Victoria is broke and Victorians are being punished for his incompetence. Victoria has record debt approaching $200 billion and Labor has introduced 50 new or increased taxes since 2014.’’

Mr Pesutto said the failure to deliver the Commonwealth Games was a core example of the way Labor had behaved.

He also said major projects has blown out by $30bn.

“The cost of major projects has blown out by over $30 billion and we have seen unprecedented waste and mismanagement. Our roads are broken and our regions have been neglected,’’ Ms Pesutto said.

“Victorians endured the longest lockdowns in the world during the pandemic because of Daniel Andrews’ mismanagement. More than 800 people died because of bungled hotel quarantine and the mental health of young Victorians suffered as they were locked up in their homes.

“Victoria’s reputation internationally was trashed by the $600 million debacle that was the Commonwealth Games with $380 million in compensation alone.

“Corruption has flourished as demonstrated by an endless stream of IBAC reports and our public service has been politicised and power centralised in the Premier’s office.’’

Mr Andrews’ departure is expected to bolster Mr Pesutto’s rocky leadership amid questions over the way he had handled the expulsion from the party room of former Liberal MP Moira Deeming.

Ms Deeming, a gender issues activist, is taking legal action against Mr Pesutto over his characterisation of her role in a women’s rights protest outside parliament earlier this year.

MPs have increasingly requested that the opposition focus on Labor, rather than the internal dispute with Ms Deeming.

There is no obvious and immediate candidate to replace Mr Pesutto.

Mr Andrews had terrorised Liberal MPs in and around parliament since 2010, widely seen to have dominated the debate and used aggressive tactics to undermine the past five leaders, including Mr Pesutto.