Get on the beers
Dan Andrews will be remembered as one of Australia's most divisive leaders. But he knew how to meme.
“I changed my mind,” is as succinct as you can get when it comes to abandoning a commitment. Victorian Premier Dan Andrews, one of the most powerful and controversial in history was as pithy as always when he fronted the media to announce he would not be serving out his term despite saying he would at the last election.
And he’ll be gone tomorrow.
'Dictator Dan' was the moniker bestowed on Andrews by his opponents, particularly conspiracy theorists, but it was actually a pretty accurate description of the control he wielded personally and in his office.
Andrews will be remembered for enormous decisions — in managing the Covid pandemic but also committing billions of dollars to Victoria’s “Big Build” infrastructure program, driving the state’s debt to more than $100 billion or 20% of its economic output. Ironically Andrews came to power vowing to abandon one giant road project but went ahead with many others — roads, tunnels, bridges and rail.
He also won three elections — the last, despite the caterwauling of the right-wing media and those livid about his Covid management, with an increased majority.
