Politicians have lined up on either side to supply an opinion on the controversial determination to award former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), with considered one of his predecessors labelling the gong as ‘a joke’.
The award – handed out as a part of the King’s Birthday honours record and considered one of Australia’s highest awards – was given to Mr Andrews for his ’eminent service to the folks and Parliament of Victoria, to public well being, to coverage and regulatory reform, and to infrastructure improvement’.
The previous premier stays a controversial determine after overseeing one of many world’s longest lockdowns in Melbourne through the Covid-19 interval, a bungled resort quarantine program that led to hovering an infection charges, and prolonged, costly delays to infrastructure initiatives.
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett described Mr Andrews’ AC as ‘a joke’ and referred to as on the Governor-Basic to rescind the award.
He pointed to Mr Andrews’ controversial Covid management and the state’s $156.2billion debt, which is anticipated to rise to $187.8billion by 2027-28.
Ex-Victorian premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) obtained the Companion of the Order of Australia for his ’eminent service to the folks and Parliament of Victoria, to public well being, to coverage and regulatory reform, and to infrastructure improvement’
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett (pictured) believes Mr Andrews’ AC is ‘a joke’ and has referred to as on the Governor-Basic to rescind the award
‘So we at the moment are giving the very best civilian award to a person who has failed, we’re recognising failure and that’s unacceptable,’ he advised Sky Information Australia.
‘I’ve requested the Governor-Basic to rescind this honour. I might additionally prefer to see how this award was given, made and thought of.
‘I want to know why it [happened] so shortly and whether or not, in reality, there was political interference in him being granted this award.
‘That would not be stunning, as a result of the hallmark of Daniel’s premiership was simply that: political interference overburdening the system.’
Victorian impartial MP David Limbrick agreed with Mr Kennett and highlighted Mr Andrews’ notorious mismanagement of the Commonwealth Video games.
‘We had a state of affairs the place earlier than the election there was a promise of a Commonwealth Video games, then after the election, after all, “Oh whoops, it is too costly now, oh, and by the way in which, it price $580 million” that simply acquired wasted,’ he stated.
Former Labor Senator Stephen Conroy additionally fronted Sky Information however when requested about Mr Andrews’ award, defended the state’s longest-serving premier.
Mr Conroy advised Mr Andrews’ critics to ‘suck it up’.
‘The Sydney media bubble, frankly, are morons – you already know nothing about Melbourne so get again in your field,’ he stated.
‘Nobody cares about your views on the market in broader Australia. This kind of pathetic, pathetic assault on the awards secretariat is simply mind-blowing.
‘Jeff (Kennett), that was only a pathetic dummy spit.’
Former Labor Senator Stephen Conroy (pictured) stated of Mr Andrews’ critics: ‘The Sydney media bubble, frankly, are morons, you already know nothing about Melbourne so get again in your field’
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie summarised the sentiments of many Australians by describing Mr Andrews’ acknowledgement as ‘weird’.
‘I at all times discover it weird that we receives a commission an absurd sum of money as politicians and also you need to give us awards?’ Senator Lambie advised 9’s At this time Present.
‘I imply, severely, there’s lots of people on the market who do nice issues, however do not have some huge cash, they usually’re doing nice issues round their very own neighborhood. Why they proceed to provide politicians awards is past me.
‘It actually will get up my nostril, I’ve to be trustworthy with you. We receives a commission to do the job for you. We should not be getting awards on high of it.
‘It is not for them. It is for folks in the neighborhood who’re on the market doing the best factor, and a number of these folks on the market in the neighborhood serving to others, usually are not loaded with cash.
‘They do it from the goodness of their coronary heart, and that is the way in which it needs to be achieved.’
Former Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan was additionally awarded an AC, regardless of additionally being recognized for his hardline Covid-era insurance policies.
Former MP Craig Kelly shared his ideas on X alongside a number of of Mr Andrews’ critics.
‘At first I assumed it was a nasty joke, however each Dan Andrews and former WA Premier Mark McGowan have obtained an AC for ‘Covid Management’ within the King’s Birthday Honours. They each needs to be jail serving time,’ he stated.
One other commenter posted: ‘Dan Andrews has been made a Companion of the Order of Australia within the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours for being probably the most authoritarian human rights abuser in Australia’s historical past.’
A 3rd wrote: ‘At this time, we have fun the iron-fisted management of Dan Andrews and Mark McGowan with the Companion of the Order of Australia.
‘Underneath their reign, ruthless Covid zero benchmarks had been set. The destruction of companies, financial system and erosion of freedoms had been superb sacrifices.’
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie (pictured) summarised the sentiments of many Australians by describing Mr Andrews’ acknowledgement as ‘weird’
Nonetheless, others applauded Mr Andrews for retaining Victorians ‘secure’ by way of the pandemic.
‘Nicely deserved recognition for Premier Dan Andrews within the King’s Birthday Honors! His dedication and power in guiding Victoria by way of the hardest time within the final century,’ one wrote.
‘Congratulations Dan Andrews in your King’s birthday honour on your good work all through the Covid pandemic. We had been all so fortunate to have you ever as our premier,’ one other stated.
Former 3AW broadcaster and commentator Neil Mitchell stated he wasn’t ‘completely happy’ with the ‘weird’ name and believes it was ‘fast-tracked’.
‘Daniel was a divisive chief,’ Mitchell advised Dawn.
‘He is getting this award partly for his work in public well being. He is destroyed the general public well being system. He had previous women chased out of parks by way of the Covid days.
‘(There are) a number of questions round it. It is fast- tracked.’
Mitchell added that Mr Andrews’ accolade was a slight on the folks adversely affected by his authorities’s ‘ring of metal’ coverage throughout Covid.
‘I am unable to assist however consider these folks impacted by these lockdowns, significantly small enterprise. How would they be feeling proper now?’
Ben Fordham from Sydney’s 2GB additionally took goal on the controversial political awardees.
‘The previous premiers are being recognised for his or her service to public well being and the folks of their state, however the determination has gone down like a lead balloon,’ Fordham stated.
‘Individuals cannot neglect the ache they brought about through the pandemic. Mr Andrews imposed the longest lockdown on the earth.
‘Victorians had been caught inside for 262 days. In the meantime, Mark McGowan closed Western Australia’s border for nearly two years.
‘Households had been separated for main milestones. They missed out on births, deaths and marriages.’
Whereas Mr Andrews was criticised for his harsh lockdown restrictions, he stays the longest serving Labor premier in Victoria’s historical past and gained three state elections for the ALP.
Stepping down from the job in September 2023, Mr Andrews stated ‘it’s time’.
‘Lately, in speaking to my youngsters and Cath (his spouse), ideas of what life shall be like after this job has began to creep in,’ he stated.
‘I’ve at all times recognized that the second that occurs it’s time to go and to provide this privilege, this superb duty to another person.’
Former Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) was additionally awarded an AC, regardless of additionally being recognized for his hardline Covid -era insurance policies
On the time, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to his longtime buddy, calling him a ‘man of nice conviction, monumental compassion and a fierce dedication to make a distinction’.
‘Daniel Andrews has by no means been anybody who has shirked his duties,’ he stated.
‘He stood up every day through the pandemic, stood up for doing what he believed was completely proper, to maintain Victorian secure.
‘Not making straightforward choices, making tough choices.’
Submit-politics, Mr Andrews has moved to the non-public sector, and is working with mining billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest by way of his consultancy Forty Eight and Companions.
