Net Worth: c.$10-12 Million
Age: 51
DOB: 6 July 1972 (age 51 years)
Birthplace: Williamstown, Melbourne, Australia
Dan Andrews is a former Australian politician who served as the 48th premier of Victoria from 2014 until 2023. He was the leader of the Victorian branch of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) from 2010 and represented the district of Mulgrave in the Victorian Legislative Assembly (MLA) from 2002 until his resignation in 2023. Andrews is the longest-serving Labor premier and the fourth-most-tenured premier in Victorian state history.
In 2006, Andrews joined the Bracks Ministry as the Minister for Consumer Affairs and later became the Minister for Health in 2007 for the Brumby Ministry until the government was beaten three years later at the polls for the election of 2010 by Ted Baillieu. Andrews was subsequently elected Labor Party Leader for Victoria, thus becoming Leader of the Opposition.
After just one term as the leader of the opposition, Andrews led the party to a resounding victory at the 2014 election. He was officially sworn in as the Victorian Premier just before the end of the year. Impressively, during the 2018 election, he led his party to an increased ten seat majority within the lower house and to a third landslide victory at the 2022 election – again with an increased majority of the party in the house. During Andrew’s tenure as premier there were also several major historical events including the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastation of the Australian bushfire season in 2019-20.
During the course of his political career, Andrews has generated a significant net worth. While it is not known exactly how much, most reasonable estimates have it at between $10-$12 million.
Early Life
Andrews was born in Williamstown, which is a southwestern suburb of Melbourne, to parents Bob and Jan. A few years later, his family relocated from there to Glenroy, before upsticking to the northeastern Victorian town of Wangaratta in 1983.
Andrews went to Marist Brothers’ Galen Catholic College. He then returned to Melbourne to study at Monash University in 1990 and lived in Mannix College. In 1996, he graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in politics and classics.
After completing his degree, Andrews started working as an electorate officer for federal Labor MP Alan Griffin. Later, he worked at the party’s head office from 1999 to 2002, first as an organiser, and later as assistant state secretary.
Timeline of Political Career
Andrews political career can be summarised as follows:
- Bracks Government (2002–2007)
- Brumby Government (2007–2010)
- Opposition (2010–2014)
- Premier of Victoria (2014–2023)
During this time he held various roles and was most notably re-elected twice as the Victorian Premier.
Notably, Andrews is one of only a handful of Australian state politicians who have never spent a single day sitting on the backbench. His whole career has been in the Legislative Assembly, including:
- Junior minister (2002–2006)
- Minister (2006–2010)
- Opposition leader (2010–2014)
- Premier (2014–2023).
Political Positions
Since joining the party in 1993, Andrews has remained a member of Labor’s socialist left faction. He is a strong advocate of climate change and environmentalism, and has supported the pledge for net zero emissions by 2050. He has also been a long-time supporter of the republican movement and backs the move to abolish Australia’s constitutional monarchy in favour of a federal republic.
Andrews has been vocal throughout his career in support of same-sex marriage, the protection and expansion of LGBT rights, and the promotion of awareness and respect towards people who are transitioning or transgender, especially among younger Victorians.
On May 24, 2016, Andrews formally apologised to the LGBT community in a statement made on behalf of the Victorian Government. The apology was specifically addressed to members of the community who had been formally charged with offences relating to homosexuality and crimes in Victoria before the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1981.
In a speech he made to the Victorian government, Premier Andrews said: “On behalf of the parliament, the government, and the people of Victoria, for the laws we passed, and the lives we ruined, and the standards we set, we are so sorry; humbly, deeply, sorry.”
Despite being a Catholic, Andrews has been vociferous in criticising Australia’s branch of the Catholic Church, for their lack of adequate response to accusations of child sex abuse. Notbaly, when Cardinal George Pell, the most senior Catholic in Australia, died, Andrews refused requests to grant him a state funeral.
Despite being known as progressive, Andrews has rather conservative views when it comes to illicit drugs. He is against the decriminalisation of marijuana for recreational purposes and pill testing at
events and music festivals.
Legacy
Andrews is considered one of the more prominent, progressive figures in Australian politics.
Overall, his government achieved several major accomplishments during his tenure, including the ‘Big Build’ infrastructure projects. They include:
- Adoption reforms
- Decriminalisation of sex work
- First Nations treaties
- Introduction of protester exclusion zones outside abortion clinics
- Legalisation of medicinal cannabis
- Reform of victim compensation for those who suffered institutionalised child-sex abuse
- Rental law reforms
- Safe injection rooms
- Voluntary assisted dying
However, not all of his policies have been successful. Several major political issues and liabilities occurred during Andrews’s time as premier, including rising public debt, the Red Shirts scandal, and lockdowns of public housing.
Personal Life
Daniel Andrews got married to Catherine Kesik on December 31, 1998, and they currently live in Mulgrave with their three children. Although he had a Roman Catholic upbringing, he rarely attends church.
On March 9, 2021, while on holiday on the Mornington Peninsula, Andrews slipped and fell on wet steps. He was taken to the hospital and placed under intensive care. The fall caused several broken ribs and a broken vertebra, but he did not have any head injuries. During his absence, James Merlino, the Deputy Premier, acted as the Premier until he was fit enough to return to work.
In March 2022, Andrews caught the COVID-19 virus, but he was able to carry out his work commitments from home in isolation and while he recovered.
Away from politics, Dan is a huge supporter of Essendon in Australian Rules Football. He is regularly seen attending their games.