Andrews resignation reactions reflect polarising figure who pleased and angered equally

By Murray Silby

Sep 28, 2023

Nationals state Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad

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Under Labor, we now have the highest debt of any state in Australia — more than NSW, Queensland and Tasmania combined — and will soon be paying more than $22 million a day in interest.

While the premier may change, it’s still the same Labor government, and Victoria needs a change of direction.

Victorian state director for the Australian Christian Lobby Jasmine Yuen

In his years in parliament, Andrews has created many controversies, but none more concerning than his restriction of freedom of faith, speech and expression. Along the way, he oversaw the legalisation of abortion to birth and euthanasia, he trounced parental rights, introduced gender-fluid indoctrination into our children’s schools, and criminalised prayer for someone with unwanted gender confusion.

Nationals state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe

Daniel Andrews has left a legacy of debt.

The financial burden on Victorians has skyrocketed, with a $30 billion blowout in major city projects and over 50 new or increased taxes.

Regional Victoria has been constantly overlooked, with reduced investment in roads, rising crime rates, and a housing wait list that has nearly doubled.

Australian Nursing and Midwifery Foundation (Victorian branch) secretary Lisa Fitzpatrick

Personally, I’m saddened by this announcement but extremely grateful for Mr Andrews’ time, first as health minister, opposition leader and his past nine years as premier.

In my time as branch secretary, I have worked with five Victorian premiers, both Labor and Liberal. None have been as willing to meet, listen and to act on the concerns and wishes of Victoria’s nurses and midwives.

Senior lecturer in politics at the School of Social Sciences Dr Zareh Ghazarian

Daniel Andrews has seemingly been an untouchable giant in Victorian politics since he first led Labor to victory in 2014.

The Andrews years, however, were not without controversy. His leadership style was polarising, and numerous investigations and allegations went to the heart of the integrity of his government.

**Thankful:** First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria co-chairs Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg. Mr Berg says the state’s First Peoples will always remember Daniel Andrews’ willingness to launch the Treaty process.

First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria co-chair and Gunditjmara man Rueben Berg

As premier, Dan Andrews understood the power and importance of listening to First Peoples. Our mob will always remember and appreciate the willingness of his government to embark with us on the shared journey to Treaty in Victoria.

Royal Australian College of GPs Victoria chair Dr Anita Munoz

On behalf of Victoria’s GPs, I’d like to thank Premier Andrews for his leadership, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Andrews Government has been supportive of general practice, including providing additional funding for state GP-led respiratory clinics, GP urgent care clinics and grants supporting GPs to deliver influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations.

Nationals state Member for Euroa Annabelle Cleeland

I want to acknowledge Daniel Andrews for serving in the tough job as the Victorian premier for nearly nine years, and I wish him and his family well for the future.

But this marks the end of a leader who abandoned regional Victoria and has left the rest of us to pick up the pieces of a state he has devastated.

Daniel Andrews spent his nine years taking out loans in the names of our children and has now left them to pay it — that is his legacy.

cohealth chief executive Nicole Bartholomeusz

The premier spearheaded a raft of important social and health policy initiatives, including the establishment of the Royal Commission into Family Violence and Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, the introduction of voluntary assisted dying legislation, the decriminalisation of public drunkenness as well as steering the state through a once-in-a-century pandemic.