Divisive pandemic premier Daniel Andrews has been given the highest honour in this year’s King’s Birthday honours list. Either revered or reviled for keeping his decision to keep his state locked down for 262 days, and locking Melbourne into a “ring of steel,” his controversial decisions still led to Victoria’s Labor Party cementing a landslide election in 2022. The golfing enthusiast has now been made a Companion of the Order of Australia alongside six other eminent Australians, including his former Western Australian counterpart Mark McGowan.
Mr Andrews, who is the longest serving Labor premier in his state’s history, was recognised for his “eminent service to the people and parliament of Victoria, and his contribution to policy and regulatory reform, and infrastructure development.” Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion. Stepping down from the job in September 2023, Mr Andrews said “it is time”.
“Recently, in talking to my kids and Cath (his wife), thoughts of what life will be like after this job has started to creep in,” he said. “I have always known that the moment that happens it is time to go and to give this privilege, this amazing responsibility to someone else.” At the time Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to his longtime friend, calling him a “man of great conviction, enormous compassion and a fierce determination to make a difference”.
“Daniel Andrews has never been anyon.
