Daniel Andrews is stepping down as Victorian premier after nine years in power, announcing he will resign from the job and as member for Mulgrave effective from Wednesday afternoon.
The premier made the announcement on Tuesday afternoon at a snap press conference organised with just 40 minutes’ notice.
Andrews assumed office in December 2014 and led the Victorian Labor Party to a third term of government at the state election last November.
He thanked his staff and deputy leaders for their support over his time in the job, paying a special tribute to Treasurer Tim Pallas, who has been in his leadership team for nine years.
“I’ve made my mind up in the last few days,” he said.
Andrews said being premier was a defining feature of his life. He said he would visit the Victorian governor on Tuesday and his term in office would officially end at 5pm on Wednesday.
Daniel Andrews called a snap press conference on Tuesday, announcing his resignation.Credit: Jason South
“You never want to get to a place where you resent this job, this amazing privilege,” he said.
“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 Cath and his three kids 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.
Premier Daniel Andrews was supported by his wife and children at the press conference on Tuesday afternoon.Credit: Jason South
Andrews said he knew as got to the final stage of the housing statement that it would perhaps be the last big reform that he did.
The premier was asked if his 2021 back injury, which caused him to miss several months of work, contributed to his decision.
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“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.
Andrews said the next premier would be chosen by caucus and he would not have a vote.
He 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.”
Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto told radio station 3AW Andrews is resigning “because things are falling apart”.
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Pesutto acknowledged Andrews had been a parliamentarian and premier for a long time but said “the truth” was that the premier was departing due to 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 blackhole; whether it’s the Commonwealth Games debacle that saw at least $600 million torched for no good reason...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.”
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.”
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