Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is quitting the top job after nine years in the role and leaving state parliament from tomorrow.
The member for Mulgrave says he only arrived at the decision recently.
“It’s not an easy job being Premier of our state, that’s not a complaint, that’s just a fact,” he said during today’s announcement.
“That of course is time limited, and now is the time to step away.
“The only way that I know how to do this job is to have it consume me, to have it define me…that takes a toll.
“To have been Premier for nine years, and the leader of my party for 13-years is a greater set of opportunities than I ever thought would be afforded to me.”
Mr Andrews described himself as a “kid from the country”, and said his only aspiration was “to do good, to work hard, and work with teams of people to – perhaps – make things better.”
Mr Andrews says he’ll visitor the Victorian Governor General today, where he’ll tender his resignation effective from 5:00pm tomorrow (Wednesday, Sep 27).
Asked who would be his successor, the outgoing Premier said that would be a matter for caucus, which was due to meet at midday on Wednesday.
“A new premier elect will be chosen around lunchtime tomorrow,” he said.
“That will be a matter for colleagues…a matter for people if there’s more than one candidate.”
