Almost 18,000 people have signed a petition calling for former Victoria Premier Dan Andrews to be stripped of his King’s Birthday Honour, less than two days after receiving it.
The Labor leader was handed the nation’s highest honour, the Companion of the Order of Australia, for his service to Victoria, public health, policy, and regulatory reform.
But, less than two days later, tens of thousands of Victorians had already signed a petition launched by The Nationals Party of Victoria to have the prestigious award revoked.
Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh said on Friday that electorate offices in the state had been “inundated with people expressing gratitude that someone is standing up”.
“People are still extremely angry about what Daniel Andrews did to them, putting them through (Covid) lockdowns and the state he’s left Victoria’s finances in,” he said.
Mr Walsh described the award as “inappropriate and unjustified” citing Mr Andrews handling of the Covid pandemic for which he said Victorians “are still paying the price”.
“Melbourne was left floundering in lockdown for a total of 262 days – the longest in the world – under Mr Andrews’ draconian laws,” Mr Walsh said in a media release.
“Mr Andrews also oversaw a bungled and ill-conceived hotel quarantine program that cost the lives of almost 800 Victorians.
“Victorians have been left to pick up the pieces, now burdened with record debt because Mr Andrews couldn’t manage money.
“Since the start of Mr Andrews’ reign as Premier, Labor has slapped Victorians with 55 new or increased taxes and charges.
“Under no circumstances should Mr Andrews retain the Companion of the Order of Australia.”
The petition calls for Mr Andrews’ award to be revoked because he “failed Victorians with his shambolic handing of the Covid pandemic and the state’s finances”.
It comes after former Victorian chief health officer Brett Sutton was made an Officer of the order of Australia “for distinguished service to the people of Victoria”.