Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, has resigned from his position and will be out of office at 5 pm Wednesday, September 27th.
Andrews was first elected into the government in 2002 first serving as a minister for consumer affairs and gaming in the Bracks government, then as health minister under John Brumby.
In 2014, the Andrews Labor Government was elected and has stayed as he became Labor’s longest-serving premier as of earlier in 2023.
Andrews made this decision with his wife Catherine and kids Grace, Noah and Joseph. He realised as soon as he started thinking about what life would be like after he retired, he knew he had to retire.
Daniel Andrews has retired as Labor’s longest premier.
(Credit: Getty)
“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.”
It would seem the past few years the job has taken a toll on him and his family, “It’s not an easy job being the premier of this state, that’s not a complaint just a fact,”
He wanted to get out before he started hating the job, “It is such a profound thing, you never want to finish up in a situation where you are not enjoying the work,”
“That would not be right and I simply will not allow that to happen stop as you well know public life is about subjecting yourself to the judgement of others. It will be for others to judge my time in Parliament and my years of leadership.”
Premier Daniel Andrews with his wife Catherine and three children Grace, Noah and Joseph.
(Credit: Getty)However, as he resigns he reflects on how he enjoyed being the leader of Victoria, “This is such a great honour and privilege.”
“The very best part of this job is meeting and listening to thousands and thousands of people from every walk of life, from every part of our state, from every background on every point of view,”
At the end of his press conference, he took the time to thank his wife and children for their support and expressed his excitement for the extra time he’ll get with them.
“Cath, she is my best friend and none of this was remotely possible without her support, her guidance and her love. Noah, Grace and Joseph, they know only politics that has done this. For all the matters meant, thank you. You are everything to me.”
He finished it off by letting people know his retirement plans are to spend more time with his wife and children, play golf and read a “pile” of books.
