Politicians have lined up on both sides to offer an opinion on the controversial decision to award former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), with one of his predecessors labelling the gong as ‘a joke’.
The award – handed out as part of the King’s Birthday honours list and one of Australia’s highest awards – was given to Mr Andrews for his ’eminent service to the people and Parliament of Victoria, to public health, to policy and regulatory reform, and to infrastructure development’.
The former premier remains a controversial figure after overseeing one of the world’s longest lockdowns in Melbourne during the Covid-19 period, a bungled hotel quarantine program that led to soaring infection rates, and lengthy, expensive delays to infrastructure projects.
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett described Mr Andrews’ AC as ‘a joke’ and called on the Governor-General to rescind the award.
He pointed to Mr Andrews’ controversial Covid leadership and the state’s $156.2billion debt, which is expected to rise to $187.8billion by 2027-28.
Ex-Victorian premier Daniel Andrews (pictured) received the Companion of the Order of Australia for his ’eminent service to the people and Parliament of Victoria, to public health, to policy and regulatory reform, and to infrastructure development’
Former Victorian premier Jeff Kennett (pictured) believes Mr Andrews’ AC is ‘a joke’ and has called on the Governor-General to rescind the award
‘So we are now giving the highest civilian award to an individual who has failed, we are recognising failure and that is unacceptable,’ he told Sky News Australia.
‘I have asked the Governor-General to rescind this honour. I’d also like to see how this award was given, made and considered.
‘I would like to know why it [happened] so quickly and whether, in fact, there has been political interference in him being granted this award.
‘That wouldn’t be surprising, because the hallmark of Daniel’s premiership was just that: political interference overburdening the system.’
Victorian independent MP David Limbrick agreed with Mr Kennett and highlighted Mr Andrews’ infamous mismanagement of the Commonwealth Games.
‘We had a situation where before the election there was a promise of a Commonwealth Games, then after the election, of course, “Oh whoops, it’s too expensive now, oh, and by the way, it cost $580 million” that just got wasted,’ he said.
Former Labor Senator Stephen Conroy also fronted Sky News but when asked about Mr Andrews’ award, defended the state’s longest-serving premier.
Mr Conroy told Mr Andrews’ critics to ‘suck it up’.
‘The Sydney media bubble, frankly, are morons – you know nothing about Melbourne so get back in your box,’ he said.
‘No one cares about your views out there in broader Australia. This sort of pathetic, pathetic attack on the awards secretariat is just mind-blowing.
‘Jeff (Kennett), that was just a pathetic dummy spit.’
Former Labor Senator Stephen Conroy (pictured) said of Mr Andrews’ critics: ‘The Sydney media bubble, frankly, are morons, you know nothing about Melbourne so get back in your box’
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie summarised the feelings of many Australians by describing Mr Andrews’ acknowledgement as ‘bizarre’.
‘I always find it bizarre that we get paid an absurd amount of money as politicians and you want to give us awards?’ Senator Lambie told Nine’s Today Show.
‘I mean, seriously, there’s a lot of people out there who do great things, but don’t have a lot of money, and they’re doing great things around their own community. Why they continue to give politicians awards is beyond me.
‘It really gets up my nose, I have to be honest with you. We get paid to do the job for you. We shouldn’t be getting awards on top of it.
‘It’s not for them. It’s for people in the community who are out there doing the right thing, and a lot of those people out there in the community helping others, are not loaded with money.
‘They do it from the goodness of their heart, and that’s the way it should be done.’
Former Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan was also awarded an AC, despite also being known for his hardline Covid-era policies.
Former MP Craig Kelly shared his thoughts on X alongside several of Mr Andrews’ critics.
‘At first I thought it was a bad joke, but both Dan Andrews and former WA Premier Mark McGowan have received an AC for ‘Covid Leadership’ in the King’s Birthday Honours. They both should be jail serving time,’ he said.
Another commenter posted: ‘Dan Andrews has been made a Companion of the Order of Australia in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours for being the most authoritarian human rights abuser in Australia’s history.’
A third wrote: ‘Today, we celebrate the iron-fisted leadership of Dan Andrews and Mark McGowan with the Companion of the Order of Australia.
‘Under their reign, ruthless Covid zero benchmarks were set. The destruction of businesses, economy and erosion of freedoms were glorious sacrifices.’
Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie (pictured) summarised the feelings of many Australians by describing Mr Andrews’ acknowledgement as ‘bizarre’
However, others applauded Mr Andrews for keeping Victorians ‘safe’ through the pandemic.
‘Well deserved recognition for Premier Dan Andrews in the King’s Birthday Honors! His dedication and strength in guiding Victoria through the toughest time in the last century,’ one wrote.
‘Congratulations Dan Andrews on your King’s birthday honour for your brilliant work throughout the Covid pandemic. We were all so lucky to have you as our premier,’ another said.
Former 3AW broadcaster and commentator Neil Mitchell said he wasn’t ‘happy’ with the ‘bizarre’ call and believes it was ‘fast-tracked’.
‘Daniel was a divisive leader,’ Mitchell told Sunrise.
‘He’s getting this award in part for his work in public health. He’s destroyed the public health system. He had old ladies chased out of parks through the Covid days.
‘(There are) a lot of questions around it. It’s fast- tracked.’
Mitchell added that Mr Andrews’ accolade was a slight on the people adversely affected by his government’s ‘ring of steel’ policy during Covid.
‘I can’t help but think of these people impacted by those lockdowns, particularly small business. How would they be feeling right now?’
Ben Fordham from Sydney’s 2GB also took aim at the controversial political awardees.
‘The former premiers are being recognised for their service to public health and the people of their state, but the decision has gone down like a lead balloon,’ Fordham said.
‘People can’t forget the pain they caused during the pandemic. Mr Andrews imposed the longest lockdown in the world.
‘Victorians were stuck inside for 262 days. Meanwhile, Mark McGowan closed Western Australia’s border for almost two years.
‘Families were separated for major milestones. They missed out on births, deaths and marriages.’
While Mr Andrews was criticised for his harsh lockdown restrictions, he remains the longest serving Labor premier in Victoria’s history and won three state elections for the ALP.
Stepping down from the job in September 2023, Mr Andrews said ‘it is time’.
‘Recently, in talking to my kids and Cath (his wife), thoughts of what life will be like after this job has started to creep in,’ he said.
‘I have always known that the moment that happens it is time to go and to give this privilege, this amazing responsibility to someone else.’
Former Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan (pictured) was also awarded an AC, despite also being known for his hardline Covid -era policies
At the time, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to his longtime friend, calling him a ‘man of great conviction, enormous compassion and a fierce determination to make a difference’.
‘Daniel Andrews has never been anyone who has shirked his responsibilities,’ he said.
‘He stood up each and every day during the pandemic, stood up for doing what he believed was absolutely right, to keep Victorian safe.
‘Not making easy decisions, making difficult decisions.’
Post-politics, Mr Andrews has moved to the private sector, and is working with mining billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest through his consultancy Forty Eight and Partners.
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