Cade Lucas
Following on from Steve Bracks and Joan Kirner, Daniel Andrews was the third Labor Victorian premier born in Williamstown.
He might’ve grown up in Wangaratta then represented the seat of Mulgrave on the other side of the city, but Labor’s dominance over the west (where it holds every state and federal seat in the lower house) and Andrews dominance over it, meant he arguably had more influence on the region of is birth than anyone before him.
This was demonstrated in the aftermath of his resignation as a succession of western suburbs Labor MP’s offered glowing tributes.
“He demonstrated his commitment to the west too in building the infrastructure our growing western suburbs require,” said federal Lalor MP Joanne Ryan.
“It’s been an honour to work with you in delivering for Melbourne’s west” said Laverton MP Sarah Connolly.
“If you look out the window, you might be able to see a local legacy of Dan’s leadership,” said Footscray MP, Katie Hall, referencing infrastructure projects like the Westgate Tunnel and the new Footscray Hospital.
Elsewhere the reaction has been more mixed.
Altona GP and former national president of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, praised Andrews leadership at the beginning of the pandemic when they cooperated to contain outbreaks in the west.
“That was very positive,” said Dr Haikerwal of their relationship before things went downhill.
“It sort of went off the rails when there were nonsensical directions, like the Westgate bridge provided some kind of barrier.
“If you were on one side of the bridge you were in trouble and if you were on the other side you weren’t,” said Dr Haikerwal of measures he described as ’cruel’ and ’militaristic’, the most notorious of which was the locking down of public housing towers in Flemington.
”They were locked up and had limited services provided to them,” said Sudanese Community Association of Victoria general secretary Yassin Firea, whose members were among those affected.
“Yes some of them they are not happy about that experience.”
However, Mr Firea said Andrews earlier defence of the Sudanese community during the African gangs crime scare meant he was still highly regarded.
“The media targeted them (Sudanese youth) really badly and politicians like Peter Dutton, his comments about the Sudanese were very inflammatory and made people feel they are not welcome in the community,“ said Mr Firea, who lives in Caroline Springs and also credited the former premier for building infrastructure in the west.
“The good thing about Daniel Andrews at the start of his term he stood up to this and started to make a positive impact in terms of dealing with Sudanese youth.“
However, for Werribee South’s Joe Garra, it’s more about what the west missed out on under Andrews than what it received.
“We’re one of the few places that had level crossing removals but not station upgrades” said Mr Garra who is president of the Werribee South Ratepayers Association.
“We’re not gonna get any benefit from the suburban rail loop for 30 40 years at a minimum.”
It was this sense of neglect and being taken for granted that led Mr Garra to run as an independent at the last two state elections.
“It wasn’t as much about winning but making it more marginal so we could get some services,“ said Mr Garra.
The marginal seats get the most spending.”
He was sceptical that new premier Jacinta Allan would treat the west any different.
“We definitely need more focus but I don’t know how they’re gonna do it now without any money.”
