Daniel Andrews is a person of deep conviction, great compassion and fierce determination and he brought all those qualities to his time as Premier of Victoria.
Dan has always been a builder and in education, health, infrastructure and housing he has built an extraordinary legacy that will endure for generations.
You can measure Dan’s time as Premier not just in years but in achievements. Opportunities created through TAFE and early education reform. Melbourne and the regions remade by record investments in infrastructure and public transport. An ambitious plan for the construction of 800,000 new homes right across Victoria . A new generation of powerful social progress on equality, action against family violence and investments in mental health.
Dan’s leadership was tested by some of the toughest times. In the relentless pressure of a once-in-a-generation pandemic, Dan never shirked the hard decisions. He fronted up, he stood up and he did everything in his power to keep Victorians safe.
As Prime Minister, it was a pleasure for me to work alongside an old friend – and a leader of such vision and ambition. It made a huge difference to sit at the National Cabinet table with someone who believed so deeply in the power of government to change lives for the better.
Nearly nine years as Premier is a remarkable achievement. Dan Andrews can be proud that he didn’t waste a minute.
I wish Dan, Cath and their children all the very best for their future together.
