As shockwaves reverberate through the state after the unexpected resignation of the Victorian premier, the opinions of local political, business and community leaders are, predictably, divided when it comes to Daniel Andrews and his legacy.
In his nearly nine-year tenure as premier, Mr Andrews has earned himself both fervent admiration from his supporters and scathing criticism from his detractors.
Depending on who you ask, Mr Andrews could be either praised or vilified for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, infrastructure and capital works projects, the abortive 2026 Commonwealth Games and his focus on results over transparent process.
When it came to the Geelong region, the Andrews government delivered on many, but not all, of its promises.
Geelong Region Alliance (G21) chief executive Giulia Baggio said Mr Andrews’ defining legacy in Geelong was his government’s “massive investment” in the region, but some issues such as public transport required prioritising.
“There have been many local positives, including the transformation of Geelong Arts Centre, the Big Battery, the new convention centre and other City Deal projects,” Ms Baggio said.
“However, public transport remains underdone in our region and we’ll be looking to the new premier to work closely with us on this.”
Committee for Geelong chief Michael Johnston echoed Ms Baggio’s comments regarding public transport, and said while Geelong’s growth had “accelerated” due to tough decisions made by Mr Andrews during the pandemic, not everyone in the region had been a winner.
“Some benefited from the (Andrews) government’s approach, while others were worse off; we are still seeing the effects in Geelong’s CBD,” he said.
“The Victorian government’s commitment to the Geelong City Deal…continues to deliver important investment into Geelong and the region, most recently with the commencement of the Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre.
“(But) the cancellation of the Commonwealth Games will be remembered as a lost opportunity for Geelong and regional Victoria.”
The relationship between the premier and Geelong council was extremely strained at times.
In 2016 the Andrews government sacked high-profile mayor Darryn Lyons and his council group, while last year tensions grew when local Labor MPs wrote a letter to councillors with Mr Andrews’ backing, claiming Geelong council had delayed or mismanaged government-funded projects.
The cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games earlier this year also sparked criticism of Mr Andrews from Geelong mayor Trent Sullivan
Mayor Sullivan had little to say about the departing premier, other than to acknowledge his service.
“Political leadership is no easy task and I thank Mr Andrews for his service to our state,” he said.
“I look forward to working with the next premier and cabinet members.”
Liberal parliamentarian and Member for Western Victoria Bev McArthur was not as circumspect with her disapproval of Mr Andrews.
“No one doubts the premier’s outsized impact, but it is tragic for Victoria that the premier’s judgement and character failed to match his political capital and personal skills,” she said.
“The financial, educational and health consequences are all too readily apparent.
“His legacy of crumbling regional infrastructure, inadequate health services and the worst roads ever will soon be topped off by a botched explosion of destructive powerline transmission towers, thanks to his total lack of foresight in energy policy and his total disregard for communities outside the tram-tracks of Melbourne.”
Local Labor MPs, meanwhile, heaped praise on Mr Andrews.
Geelong member Christine Couzens stated his legacy in Geelong and Victoria was “unprecedented”, while Bellarine MP Alison Marchant said the outgoing premier was driven by “doing the right thing for the future, not just for the present”.
