By Mitchell Clarke
Local Labor MPs have collectively rubbished claims there are calls within the party for Premier Daniel Andrews to resign.
An article by the Herald Sun, published on Monday 12 October, alleged several Victorian Labor MPs were now “turning on” their leader, saying he “must resign”.
It follows the resignation of the Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Chris Eccles amid the fall out from the inquiry into the Hotel Quarantine fiasco.
But the claims, which were said to have been made by several MPs “speaking anonymously” have now come under fire.
Bass MP Jordan Crugnale, Eastern Victoria MP Harriet Shing, Narre Warren South MP Gary Maas and Cranbourne MP Pauline Richards have all expressed “unwavering” support for their spearhead.
“There are always those that hide behind anonymity and there are journalists that put pen to paper never revealing a so called ‘source’ so we all have a duty to question its truth and legitimacy,” Ms Crugnale said in a statement to the Gazette.
“When you look at who pays for that pen you have to question the intent – all roads tend to lead to the one media owner.
“Labor MPs are not calling for the Premier’s resignation, I certainly am not and nor is the broader caucus.”
Ms Shing added that she “absolutely stands behind the Premier and every single Minister and MP” who was working “so hard” to bring down – and keep down – Covid infections.
“I have never commented on gossip or quotes from people who aren’t prepared to put their name to their claims,” she said.
“The MPs I know support the work that the Premier has been doing this year and the leadership that he has demonstrated in taking decisions that have always been driven not by politics but by public health in the worst pandemic that we are likely to see in our lifetime.”
Mr Maas said the support within the party was “solid”.
“There is no appetite to change the best political leader in the country,” he said.
“I can see why other commercial media interests closely connected to the Liberal Party would want the Premier gone. He draws close to two million viewers each and every day.”
Meanwhile, Ms Richards said she was “unwavering” in her support for Mr Andrews.
“Now is not the time to be thinking about politics. Every member of the Andrews Labor Government I have spoken to is focused on one thing – beating this virus,” she said.
“I have no interest in commenting on anonymous reports. They’re irrelevant to the task at hand. My energy is on the needs of the Cranbourne community.”
