Victorians disappointed at Daniel Andrews winning a third term have vowed to leave the state forever.
Some residents have lashed out at the Labor leader after he easily won the election against the Liberal-National Coalition led by Matthew Guy on Saturday.
Labor is on track to win more than 52 of the 88 seats in the lower house, despite a plunge in its primary vote and double-digit swings against it in Melbourne’s north and west.
Six seats remain too close to call, with Labor predicted to win or ahead in four of those.
The coalition is projected to win at least 25 seats and may limp to or just past their starting figure of 27, largely courtesy of the Nationals picking up three regional seats.
Now Victorians are threatening to pack up their bags and move interstate rather than endure another four years of Labor leadership.
Outraged Victorians have vowed to leave the state after Daniel Andrews was re-elected premier for a third term
Victorians have threatened to pack up their bags and move interstate rather than endure another four years under a Labor leadership
‘If Dan Andrews wins I won’t be leaving Victoria because I’ve already left. Enjoy Communism,’ one person posted on Twitter.
The post was accompanied by a photo of the skyline outside an airplane.
Another posted: ‘You make me sick!! So glad I’m leaving Victoria now!!’
‘Who else is seriously considering leaving Victoria if Daniel Andrews remains Premier of Victoria ???’ a third wrote.
Another wrote: ‘I wish I could afford to leave…. I hate it here.’
‘I’m leaving Victoria now this communist dictator is still premier’ and ‘who is packing their suitcases and leaving Victoria?’ were also among the comments.
Political commentator Sydney Watson slammed Victorians for re-electing the same premier who enforced the harshest restrictions in the country during Covid.
‘My home state Victoria just voted back in the man who had them under the most abusive lockdowns and restrictions for over 260 days,’ she posted.
‘They also increased the vote for 2 minor socialist parties. All I can say is you reap what you sow.’
Victorians endured six lockdowns since the outbreak of the virus in Australia in 2020.
Political commentator Sydney Watson slammed Victorians for re-electing the same premier who enforced the harshest restrictions in the country during Covid
Dr Watson has been vocal on her opinion on the outcome of the state election in Victoria
Stay-at-home orders, curfews, playground closures and the dreaded ring-of-steel were some of the restrictions brought in by Mr Andrews.
The severity earned the premier the nickname ‘Dictator Dan’ and prompted violent protests by some fed-up residents.
Dr Watson added in another post: ‘Every time I post about how messed up Australia is, I see an influx of irrationally angry Australians claiming otherwise.
‘How can you fix the state of your country if you continue to deny its problems exist?’
Residents have swooped in to defend the premier challenging dissatisfied voters to deliver on their promise and leave the state.
‘For all those who promised to leave Victoria if Dan Andrews won … I have a free bus leaving Flinders St at midday tomorrow,’ one person wrote.
A second added: ‘Dan Andrews is back if you’re leaving Victoria please go directly to Qld do not pass through NSW.’
The re-election of Dan Andrews has divided residents with some defending him
The Liberal Party has been left scrambling to pick up the pieces following their humiliating loss with the search on for a new leader.
Matthew Guy announced on Sunday he would be stepping down after leading his party through two consecutive election losses.
Warrandyte MP Ryan Smith has confirmed he’s in the race, while former police spokesman Brad Battin and Polwarth representative Richard Riordan are also reportedly in the running.
Former shadow attorney-general John Pescutto will run if he beats teal independent Melissa Lowe to reclaim his seat of Hawthorn. He currently leads the count by about 500 votes.
There are reports upper house representative Matt Bach is mulling over a tilt but would need to move to the lower house to be eligible.
Former leader Michael O’Brien and opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier will not put themselves forward, according to The Age.
Matthew Guy announced on Sunday he would be stepping down after leading his party through two consecutive election losses
Mr Smith told the Herald Sun if successful he would focus on regaining support in suburban electorates rather than marginal inner city seats.
‘That includes talking to some of the faith communities and not just being there on election day or three months before election day,’ Mr Smith said.
Mr Guy confirmed he would call the parliamentary partyroom together to elect a new leader once a clearer picture of successful candidates emerges.
Liberal candidates remain locked in five close tussles in Bass, Hastings, Pakenham, Hawthorn and Mornington.
Former Liberal MP Tim Smith said deputy leader David Southwick, Ms Crozier and shadow treasurer David Davis should not seek to remain part of the parliamentary leadership team.
As things stand, the coalition is projected to win at least 25 seats and may limp to or just past their starting figure of 27, largely courtesy of the Nationals picking up three regional seats.
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