Outrage grows as Dan Andrews’ King’s Birthday honour is branded ‘a joke’ – but one former Labor senator says his critics are ‘morons’

Politicians are lining up on both sides to have their say on the controversial decision to appoint former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews as a Companion of the Order of Australia (AC), with one of his predecessors labeling the gong as “a joke’.

The award – presented as part of the King’s Birthday Roll of Honor and one of Australia’s highest honors – was awarded to Mr Andrews for his ‘distinguished services to the people and parliament of Victoria, to public health, to policy and regulatory reform , and infrastructure development’.

The former prime minister remains a controversial figure after overseeing one of the world’s longest lockdowns in Melbourne during the Covid-19 period, a failed hotel quarantine program that led to rising infection rates and lengthy, expensive delays to infrastructure projects.

Former Victorian Premier Jeff Kennett described Andrews’ AC as “a joke” and called on the Governor-General to withdraw the award.

He pointed to Andrews’ controversial Covid leadership and the government’s $156.2 billion debt, which is expected to rise to $187.8 billion between 2027 and 2028.

“So we are now giving the highest civilian award to an individual who has failed, we are recognizing the failure and that is unacceptable,” he said. Sky News Australia.

“I have asked the Governor General to revoke this honor. I would also like to see how this award was awarded, created and considered.

‘I’d like to know why [happened] so quickly and whether there was in fact any political interference in the awarding of this award.

“That wouldn’t be surprising, because the hallmark of Daniel’s premiership was just that: political interference that overloaded 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 Commonwealth Games promise, and after the election of course, ‘Oh oops, it’s too expensive now, oh, and by the way, it cost $580 million’, that just happened. wasted,” he said.

Former Labor senator Stephen Conroy was also frontman Sky News but when asked about Andrews’ award, he defended the state’s longest-serving premier.

Mr Conroy told Mr Andrews’ critics to “suck it up”.

“Honestly, the media bubble in Sydney are idiots – you don’t know anything about Melbourne, so go back to your ass,” he said.

“In wider Australia no one cares about your opinion. This kind of pathetic, pathetic attack on the awards secretariat is just baffling.

“Jeff (Kennett), that was just a pathetic fake.”

Tasmanian Senator Jacqui Lambie summed up the feelings of many Australians by describing Mr Andrews’ admission as “bizarre”.

‘I always find it bizarre that we as politicians receive an absurd amount of money and you want to award us prizes?’ Senator Lambie told Nine’s Today Show.

“I mean, seriously, there are a lot of people doing great things who don’t have a lot of money, and they’re doing great things in their own communities. Why they continue to give awards to politicians is beyond me.

‘It’s really up my nose, I have to be honest with you. We get paid to do the work for you. We are not allowed to get any prizes on top of it.

‘It’s not for them. It’s for people in the community doing good, and a lot of those people in the community helping others aren’t flush with money.

“They do it out of the goodness of their hearts, and that’s the way it should be done.”

Former Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan was also given an AC, despite also being known for his tough Covid-era policies.

Former MP Craig Kelly shared his thoughts on X along with several of Andrews’ critics.

‘At first I thought it was a bad joke, but both Dan Andrews and former WA Prime Minister Mark McGowan were awarded ACs for ‘Covid Leadership’ in the King’s Birthday Honours. They should both serve a prison sentence,” he said.

Another commenter wrote: ‘Dan Andrews has been appointed a Companion of the Order of Australia in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honors for being the most authoritarian human rights violator in Australia’s history.’

A third wrote: ‘Today we celebrate the iron leadership of Dan Andrews and Mark McGowan with the Companion of the Order of Australia.

“Relentless Covid-zero benchmarks were set under their rule. The destruction of businesses, the economy and the erosion of freedoms were glorious sacrifices.”

However, others applauded Mr Andrews for keeping Victorians ‘safe’ during the pandemic.

‘Well deserved recognition for Prime Minister Dan Andrews in the King’s Birthday Honours! His dedication and strength to see Victoria through the toughest time of the last century,” one person wrote.

“Congratulations Dan Andrews on the King’s Birthday honor for your brilliant work during the Covid pandemic. We are all so lucky to have you as our Prime Minister,” said another.

Former 3AW announcer and commentator Neil Mitchell said he was not ‘happy’ with the ‘bizarre’ call and believes it was ‘expedited’.

“Daniel was a divisive leader,” Mitchell told Sunrise.

‘He is receiving this award partly for his work in the field of public health. He destroyed the public health system. He had old ladies chased out of parks during the Covid days.

‘(There are) a lot of questions around it. It goes fast.’

Mitchell added that Mr Andrews’ accolade was small for those adversely affected by his government’s ‘ring of steel’ policy during Covid.

“I can’t help but think about these people who have been affected by those lockdowns, especially small businesses. How would they feel now?’

Ben Fordham of Sydney’s 2GB also took aim at the controversial political winners.

“The former premiers are recognized 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 cannot forget the pain they caused during the pandemic. Andrews imposed the world’s longest lockdown.

“Victorians were indoors for 262 days. Meanwhile, Mark McGowan closed Western Australia’s border for almost two years.

“Families were separated because of important milestones. They missed out on births, deaths and marriages.”

Although Andrews was criticized for his strict lockdown restrictions, he remains the longest-serving Labor premier in Victoria’s history and won three state elections for the ALP.

When he left office in September 2023, Mr Andrews said “it is time”.

“Recently, while talking to my kids and Cath (his wife), thoughts about what life will be like after this job started creeping in,” he said.

“I’ve always known that the moment that happens, it’s time to go and give this privilege, this great responsibility to someone else.”

At the time, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese paid tribute to his old friend, calling him a “man of great conviction, enormous compassion and a fierce determination to make a difference.”

“Daniel Andrews has never been one to shirk his responsibilities,” he said.

“He stood up every day during the pandemic, stood up for doing what he believed was absolutely right, to keep Victorian safe.

‘Don’t make easy decisions, make difficult decisions.’

After politics, Mr Andrews has moved into the private sector, working with mining billionaire Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest through his consultancy Forty Eight and Partners.