Daniel Andrews will leave politics this year, according to John Pesutto, who wonders what the long-serving Premier will leave as his lasting contribution.
The leader of the opposition has expressed alarm that Mr. Andrews “checked out” amid ominous predictions for the state’s rising debt level.
In the fiscal year 2026–2027, or around the time of the next election, it was predicted that Victoria’s net debt would rise to $171.4 billion.
In a thorough interview with 3AW, Mr. Pesutto was questioned about how, if elected in 2026, he would run the state’s finances.
Citing various debt estimates he’s seen, he cautioned that Labor’s objectives won’t be achieved to their full degree until then.
“I’m not pretending, and I don’t want your listeners to think you can go in and click your fingers and it’s all fixed,” he said to Neil Mitchell.
“The harm will be substantial and long-lasting, and it raises important concerns about what Daniel Andrews’ true legacy will be once he leaves office.
Most likely this year. Everything points to him being unhinged.
Mr. Andrews has served as premier since December 2014 after helping Labour win three straight elections, the most recent of which was in November 2013.
If he survives in office until the 2026 election, he will surpass Sir Henry Bolte of the Liberal Party, who presided over Victoria for 17 years, as the state’s second-longest-serving premier.
There was growing rumour in June, only a few weeks after Mark McGowan abruptly left as premier of Western Australia, that Jacinta Allan, the deputy premier of Victoria, was being groomed to succeed Mr Andrews.
The 51-year-old quickly dispelled those accusations, stating that he works “seven days a week” and expressing his commitment to finish the project despite the fact that there is still “a lot more to do.”
“I believe there have been a few stories in some gossip publications. Do I really need to remind you not to believe gossip? In reaction to rumours regarding his future, Mr. Andrews stated.
During the interview, Mr. Pesutto was also questioned about his own plans and asked if he would resign if the Coalition lost the Warrandyte by-election.
“Look, let’s just get to Warrandyte; I want to win that for the party and for the people of Warrandyte,” he retorted.
“As the leader of the opposition, you must perform at your best every day. It doesn’t matter if it’s that day, the following day, or the day before.
Given the pressure Mr. Pesutto has been under since taking over from Matthew Guy after the state election loss, Warrandyte will be a significant test for his leadership.
Nicole Werner, who unsuccessfully stood for the Box Hill electorate in November, has been chosen by the Liberal Party to run for the seat in the upcoming by-election.
Since 1988, the Liberal Party has controlled Warrandyte, which straddles the federal electorates of Deakin and Menzies, both of which are held by the party with razor-thin margins of 0.2% and 0.7%, respectively.
Exactly nine months have passed since the 2022 state election, in which the Liberal Party won the seat by a margin of 4.3%.
On August 26th, a by-election will be held.
