A fraction shy of a decade since returning Labor to power in Victoria after its only term in the wilderness this century, Daniel Andrews has called it a day, effective 5pm tomorrow. This will result in a by-election for his loseable south-eastern suburbs seat of Mulgrave and the choice of a new Premier at a caucus meeting to be held at midday tomorrow. (UPDATE: It is noted that party rules require a three-day nominations period.) Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan has long been the heir presumptive, reflecting the dominance of her and Andrews’ Socialist Left faction, although her CV carries the unfortunate entry of “Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery June 2022 – July 2023”. However, the Financial Review reported in May that Ben Carroll of the Right had been “canvassing support in the event of an early exit” by Andrews.
The party has a strong incentive to fall behind a consensus choice, since party rules require a ballot of the membership unless 80% of caucus supports the winning candidate in a contested vote. Making Carroll deputy would restore factional balance to the leadership positions, but the Herald Sun reported in June that Mary-Anne Thomas, Gabrielle Williams and Lily D’Ambrosio of the Left might also be in contention. However, the latter’s stocks may have declined in light of recent branch-stacking controversies.
UPDATE: The Australian reports today’s caucus meeting is likely to choose an acting leader from among those who are not planning to nominate for the leadership in the three days available for them to do so, but the Financial Review hears different, saying the meeting is likely to hand the role to Jacinta Allan. An acting leader could be in place for some time if the leadership is contested, which would require a second contender to have their nomination endorsed by 20 per cent of the party room. There would follow a two-week campaign period before ballot papers were sent out to party members, whose votes would account for 50% of the result alongside the result of a party room vote.
The question would appear to be whether Ben Carroll of the Right, who is said to be canvassing support, goes the distance against Allan. Labor sources cited by The Age say the leadership is “Allan’s to lose”, but the Right could play hardball in forcing a vote if it is not assured of the deputy position. Anthony Carbines and Natalie Hutchins are mentioned as potential Right contenders along with Carroll, but Mary-Anne Thomas and Gabrielle Williams of the Left are also said to be interested. Carbines, Williams and Thomas, together with Colin Brooks, are further listed by The Australian as “possible but unlikely” contenders for the leadership.
@98.6
Well, it’s their risk to take. Fare inspectors are still out there and if they get caught taking a free ride when they’re not supposed to then it’s a nasty fine to pay.
nath says:
Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at 7:04 pm
Anyway, Victoria has trams, and that is priceless.
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From what I’ve seen some commuters are taking the wrong meaning to the word ‘priceless’.
Back after I do my competitions before midnight.
Daniel Andrews has retired undefeated and not out against a relentless, but hapless Liberal opposition.
Just what will the Victorian Liberals and their bots from the media do after becoming so fond of “pissing into the wind”.
The Shovel:-
“Mass Lay-Offs as Herald Sun Disbands Its Dan Andrews Department
Up to 40,000 journalists are without work”
Dan Andrews’ big achievement, the complete discrediting of the Victorian Press. Unfortunately out of spit they will go after his successor and waste column inches trying to convince us that level crossing removal was a waste of money.
The big question will be whether the Victorian lib/nats and their propaganda media units can lift the lib/nats combined primary vote from the low high 20%’s
Frednk goes royal we too.
The remarkable thing about Andrews is how easily people were intimidated by him.
Assuming Jacinta Allen gets the gig today, she has huge shoes to fill. I know very little about her – would her style be different to Andrews?
The media coverage of Andrews’s resignation up here in Sydney yesterday afternoon was celebratory, 2GB in particular hate that bloke with a passion. Chris O’Keefe went way overboard on his drive time show, apparently that many NSW people were cruelly deprived by Andrews from visiting their loved ones in Victoria during the lockdowns etc.
9 or 10 years seems to be the longest duration for the reign of a Premier in modern Australia.
shellbellsays:
Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 7:05 am
The remarkable thing about Andrews is how easily people were intimidated by him.
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Understandable when your livelihood depends on it.
Vic Police was the strange one, you would expect better from them, but Ashton in particular was terrified of him.
Taylormade
We had the presses campaign against the deepening of the port. Pretty dam obvious Port Phillip bay would not be flooded.
We had the press campaign against raised rail, loved by all.
We had the press join on the Black Gang nonsense from the Liberals.
We have had the press attack the government as they move through the problems created by contaminated soil.
And it goes on and on.
In the background we have had the Liberals deteriorate into a religious in-fighting.
Dan Andrews strength was not having people scared of him, his strength was the ability to call bullshit, and ignore it.
The bullshit continues for sure. Can Jacinta Allen rise above it.
shellbellsays:
Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 7:05 am
“The remarkable thing about Andrews is how easily people were intimidated by him.”
The most remarkable thing about Andrews was his popularity in the polling, indicating trust, integrity and strength despite the rusted on (Kennett) liberals and the overseas owned media attempting to undermine every move made by Andrews to provide a straightforward and transparent government.
frednk said – ” Dan Andrews’ big achievement, the complete discrediting of the Victorian Press.”
I love this comment, absolutely loved it. Spot on.
I hope both sides of politics can hold on to this thought in the coming years
Mr Albanese may in time announce that Mr Andrews has responded to Mr Albanese’s request for Mr Andrews to become a Special Minister of State in a Labor government after Labor wins the next Federal election.
Whether it be popularity or intimidation, some polling in this regard would be an “eye-opener”.
Trade with China would double and the Inland Rail get sorted.
The Murdoch family and Tony Abbott’s citizenship eligibility may be examined.
In regards the comment on Howars and Kennett “reducing”debt
Asset sell off
Privatisation
And that privatisation saw debt assumed by the private sector including individuals
Hence the staggering growth in private debt post the year 2000 – who bought Telstra shares and at what price?
My wife was a teacher in the Kennett years – and speaks to the damage done to teachers and the teaching profession
Before you get to the sales of what he sold, starting from utilities to public transport
For some further illumination look at Macquarie Bank and its stable starting with airports
Before you get to Aged Care bed licences sold to private operators by Santoro, so to Liberal Party identities
That said, the privatisation of the CBA was obvious because a government continuing to deploy to the Balance Sheet of a bank was not sustainable noting the banking landscape in Australia and the regulation
A bank Balance Sheet is not a utility nor Aged Care nor education nor public transport (and the list goes on and on)
Banking is a personal choice, not a necessity of life such as electricity, gas, water etc etc where all those public utilities were sold off to profit making businesses
And allow me to add that those proceeds of asset sales landed with tax cuts (bribes) fuelling inflation ahead of the GFC
Again, look at the Cash Rate
TailoredMerde @ #110 Wednesday, September 27th, 2023 – 7:39 am
What?? Thanks for the insight that you give us all into the mindless bullshit which consumes both the Victorian press and the ‘Liberal’ religious nutcases in the pitiful rump in parliament.
Frednk
That is my main concern with Jacinta Allan. How she manages the media.
Kennett already started yesterday saying that Labor turn to women when they are on the rocks.
Rather than saying Jacinta Allan is a competent person to be leader.
Just some of the reforms of Andrews govt
https://otr.anmfvic.asn.au/articles/premier-daniel-andrews-achievements-will-long-benefit-victorians
I’m not sure if taylormade really has any idea about anything.
Another good initiative under Labor. Continuing to provide free TAFE courses
https://www.vic.gov.au/free-tafe
Free nursing and midwifery degrees
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/making-it-free-study-nursing-and-midwifery
Grants for teaching
https://www.vic.gov.au/targeted-initiative-attract-more-teachers
Guaranteed sick pay for casual workers and carers
https://www.service.vic.gov.au/services/sick-pay-guarantee/apply?utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=JulySept2023&gclid=CjwKCAjwgsqoBhBNEiwAwe5w0yqVmsh5g7v2BG1sRsFPl0TtuR_LsqyEmTZADcKrxsBCRKE26d3rxRoCUfUQAvD_BwE
Anyhoo taylormade you really don’t have a frickin clue about anything.
Can’t forget free kindergarten
https://www.vic.gov.au/sending-child-kinder
And yet we have the cookers and the media carry onto this day about Covid. As if Andrews created the pandemic.
The Feds were responsible for quarantine, the vaccine procurement. Aged care facilities. PPE etc.
The states had to get back in their corners when they realised they were dealing with a frickin religious narcissistic nut job.
Bring on the covid inquiry I say.
The Age 27/09
In response to the furore over the Redlich letter early this year, the government also changed arrangements for the formerly Labor-dominated integrity committee, relinquishing its dominant position. The opposition and crossbench are now in majority via the new Green chair’s casting vote.
But Andrews’ arm was forced when the opposition and Greens threatened to join forces to demand an inquiry into Labor’s alleged suppression of the Redlich letter.
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This was a pivotal moment and would have played a large part in his decision.
The Greens finally grew a pair. Hooray.
Dan Andrews’ departure while on top really marks his victory over Sky News, the Herald-Sun and Credlin as a permanent one.
Good times!
This post may not be suitable for Dan Andrews thread and more suitable for ‘Open thread’ but I cannot allow ‘Here we go again ‘ assertions regarding public sector banks without challenge
Update: 1 crore Indian rupees = Australian$ 188, 000.
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Here we go againsays:
Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 8:02 am
In regards the comment on Howars and Kennett “reducing”debt
Asset sell off
Privatisation
……….
………
That said, the privatisation of the CBA was obvious because a government continuing to deploy to the Balance Sheet of a bank was not sustainable noting the banking landscape in Australia and the regulation
A bank Balance Sheet is not a utility nor Aged Care nor education nor public transport (and the list goes on and on)
Banking is a personal choice, not a necessity of life such as electricity, gas, water etc etc where all those public utilities were sold off to profit making
”
The great public sector banks turnaround in India.
https://dynastycrooks.wordpress.com/2023/08/31/the-great-turnaround-how-public-sector-banks-became-most-profitable-in-india/
Taylormade
Andrew always said he was going to resign this term.
The press destroyed there scandal credibility when they tried to turn slipping on steps into a scandal and their continual attack on Andrews’ wife over an accident that occurred a decade ago.
True or not, attacks on Andrew are now greeted with a great big yarn.
Frednk
I would take the Herald Sun more seriously if they had anything positive to say about the state of Victoria.
It was always doom and gloom. Pathetic to say the least.
What can one expect with contributions by the likes of Rita Panahi, Andrew Bolt, Steve Price just to name a few
Is it going to be Jacinta Allan Premier and Ben Carroll Deputy.?
Or other way around…….
Who’ll miss their impotent bleating about Dan Andrews?
No one. 🙂
Btw I hope Dan Andrews gives the YES case a quick boost on the way out today. It’s Labor voters that are holding this thing back.
Get ALP voters up from ~60% YES and this’ll get close.
There certainly has been a “boy that cried wolf” vibe about the Victorian media around Andrews. There was zero love between the press pack and the Premier and it showed. But the public really weren’t listening any more. It merely reinforced the Dan haters’ beliefs and the Dan fans have lost complete trust in the newspapers and electronic media. The media had their narrative which was disproved by the election win last year.
Tim Pallas has nominated for deputy, which makes an impending resignation look less likely.
Yes, my source suggesting Pallas was going recanted that this morning. Although they said it might be more of an attempt to block a sub-factional rival.
The leadership will probably go to Allan because although there is easily more than 14 members out of the 70 caucus goers who prefer to see Carroll instead as leader, there is probably not 14 members who think that a public campaign would be wise. Therefore there might be an unofficial vote before unanimous vote.
I think the Right will be happy to merely get the deputy leadership back. After all, Andrews was never supposed to be premier – the Right allow the leadership to go to a member of the Left in 2010 because they did not see the Baillieu government imploding the way it did.
If Allan is elected she will be the first mother to be premier of Victoria.
The Age’s editorial boils down to “good riddance”.
Like Pesutto’s graceless response, The Age’s blatant anti-Andrews barracking does not win supporters – it alienates the majority who respect Andrews, and means that people tune out even the legitimate queries about his government, because they’re so fucking rabid about everything, they can’t even manage to stay balanced on the occasion of his retirement.
I had dinner last night with people I know for a fact voted for the Libs when Tony Abbott was leader (a couple of whom I believe voted for Monique Ryan over Frydenberg, though), and of course Andrews was a topic of conversation. They raised without any prompting from me how Pesutto should have shown some grace towards Andrews and they’re sick of the way all the Liberals constantly act like they’re on Fox News and can’t recognise that Victorians don’t like that.
Can’t forget free kindergarten
free TAFE courses
Free nursing and midwifery degrees
Tram travel is free within the CBD
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Lots of commentators noting FREE STUFF (TM)!!! But I don’t think any of these commentators have the most 101 fundamental understanding of economics.
Firstly, nothing is “free” and someone is always paying (and the “pool” of peeps paying is getting smaller in Victoria). In Victoria this is 100% paid for by taxes and boy oh boy aren’t taxes high in Victoria.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-20/fact-check-is-victoria-the-highest-taxing-state-in-the-nation/10510204 Fact check = Yes.
On “free kindergarten” not much point when barely anyone is having kids:
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/victorias-birthrate-drops-as-state-relies-on-immigration-to-sustain-population-growth/news-story/
And… not much point having “free stuff” when your government can’t fund schools, hospitals, roads, rails, trams, games as they’re too busy paying off $200,000,000,000 in net debt and its all-time interest rates:
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victoria-s-debt-risks-doubling-in-a-decade-budget-office-warns-20230603-p5ddn8.html
Your great grandkids will be paying this off.
B. S. Fairman, I was hoping someone else would point this out so I wouldn’t have to, but I’m fairly sure Joan Kirner was a mother. Unless her three offspring were born when she was in her fifties.
EightES – You’re right and I was wrong. I mixed up Carmen Lawerence and Joan Kirner. I remember there was nonsense about lacking motherliness from section of the press at the time.
Looks like it is going to go to a vote. Not the wisest move.
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EightESsays:
Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 12:59 pm
B. S. Fairman, I was hoping someone else would point this out so I wouldn’t have to, but I’m fairly sure Joan Kirner was a mother. Unless her three offspring were born when she was in her fifties.
”
Exactly my thoughts.
A totally understandable mistake, B. S..
Every female politician is accused of not being able to juggle the competing demands of their job and motherhood, or of being out of touch with normal family life because they don’t have children.
And it all sort of blurs together.
Jacinta Allan turned 50 eight days ago today. Happy 50th birthday!
I’ve known her since my uni days when she was Victoria’s youngest Labor MLA.
It seems that Ben Carroll has formally nominated for the leadership against Jacinta Allan.
So it seems there’s likely to be an Acting Premier if it has to go to a ballot.
I can’t see there not being massive pressure on whoever comes second to stand down before 5pm. The party will not want a membership vote. But if it comes to it, I think as deputy Allan is acting leader.
Democracy Sausage says:
Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 7:31 am
9 or 10 years seems to be the longest duration for the reign of a Premier in modern Australia.
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Well, that may be the case, except with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk re-confirming that she is not following in the footsteps of Dan or Mark and has doubled down on still being Queensland’s Premier
at the next October state election.
While the polls are not on Annastacia’s side at the moment, like they have been many times before leading up to an election, I not only believe she will win again but will go on to having been Premier
for 14 years.
Hey, as we have seen in the last 24 hours, politics is unpredictable, but with Labor in power everywhere
except in that tiny island down under, down under, I am in my glory and living in the moment.
If and when it goes the other way I’ll look back and say “What a ride it was”.
Oh how the Nommies on here would feel threatened by a premier from the Socialist left faction, who actually did things for working class voters. “Oh, no, don’t be too progressive, wait for the electorate to catch up, don’t get Murdoch off side.” Andrews says “HOLD MY BEER!” Catcrank and co would shit their pants!
Oh, no! Imagine the spectacle of a democratic vote of party members playing out in public, instead of a factional deal stitched up by a few powerbrokers behind closed doors.
How could the public tolerate such instability?