Former premiers Daniel Andrews and Mark McGowan have been awarded the nation’s highest honour, despite their controversial handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Both have received the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) for their significant contributions to public health.
Mr Andrews was recognised for his health policies and infrastructure development in Victoria, and Mr McGowan for his health policies and international trade relations in Western Australia.
The awards were met with barbs this morning from Nine radio titans 2GB’s Ben Fordham and ex-3AW presenter Neil Mitchell, who discussed the King’s Birthday honours, with Fordham labelling the pair “lockdown premiers”.
“The former premiers are being recognised for their service to public health and the people of their state, but the decision has gone down like a lead balloon,” Fordham declared to his listeners.
“Because people can’t forget the pain they caused during the pandemic.”
“Dan Mr Andrews imposed the longest lockdown in the world.
“Victorians were stuck inside for 262 days. Meanwhile, Mark McGowan closed Western Australia’s border for almost two years.
“Families were separated for major milestones.
“They missed out on births, deaths and marriages.”
Mitchell, an Order of Australia medallist himself, joked that “every Victorian deserves an AO for putting up with (Mr Andrews)”.
“Daniel Mr Andrews has left Victoria as a back basket case,” Mitchell said.
“He had old ladies harassed in the park; rubber bullets fired people, a ring of steel, the hospital system is still crumbling, and as you said 262 days of lockdown.
“We’re facing a debt of $200 billion. It’s blown out
“This is a bloke who had more integrity inquiries into his government than were ever held in the history of Victoria. His own ombudsman said the government had breached human rights.”
Both agreed the decision potentially “undermines the award for every decent Australian” who receives one.
Mr Andrews’ tenure as Victoria’s premier was marked by one of the world’s longest lockdowns and a botched hotel quarantine program that resulted in the deaths of over 800 people. Despite this, he was honoured for his “eminent service to the people and parliament of Victoria, to public health, to policy and regulatory reform, and to infrastructure development.”
In a statement, Mr Andrews expressed his gratitude for the recognition.
“I am honoured to have been nominated for this AC and grateful to every Victorian who contributed to some of our state’s best times and who worked so hard to see us through our most challenging,” he said.
Reflecting on his time in office, he added, “I thank the Victorian community for their support for me and my team in leading our state for nine years. That remains the greatest honour of my life.”
Mr Andrews’ leadership during the pandemic was divisive.
His strict lockdown measures, including six lockdowns totalling 262 days, elicited both praise and criticism.
One memorable quote from March 2020 epitomised his firm approach: “You won’t be able to go to the pub because the pub is shut. That doesn’t mean you can have all your mates around to your home and get on the beers, that’s not appropriate. It’s not essential, it’s not needed, and all it will do is spread the virus.”
Victoria’s prolonged lockdowns, especially the 111-day stretch from July to October 2020, were triggered by infection-control breaches in the hotel quarantine program, resulting in 801 deaths.
An inquiry led by retired judge Jennifer Coate concluded that the decision to use security guards, rather than police, for infection control was a collective outcome influenced by Victoria Police commissioner Graham Ashton.
On the other side of the country, Mr McGowan was recognised for his “eminent service to the people and parliament of Western Australia, to public health and education, and to international trade relations.”
His nearly two-year border closure effectively shielded Western Australia from widespread Covid-19 outbreaks, allowing the mining industry to thrive and keeping lockdown days to a minimum.
This strategy, though painful for separated families, was largely popular among voters and led to Labor’s historic landslide electoral victory in 2021.
Mr McGowan, now involved in consultancy and advisory roles in the private sector, also expressed his gratitude for the award.
“I am very humbled and honoured to receive this award and would like to thank whoever nominated me,” he said.
“My deep gratitude goes to the people of WA for being so kind to me.”
Mr McGowan’s tenure was not without criticism.
The state’s hospital system struggled with high levels of ambulance ramping, cancellation of elective surgeries, and widespread dissatisfaction among healthcare workers.