Almost a year on from his shock departure from politics, Daniel Andrews says he’s “not even for one moment” missing the cut and thrust of Spring St. Carly Douglas
July 26, 2024 - 3:00PM HERALD SUN
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Daniel Andrews has moved on from a life in politics. Picture: Peter Haskin
Daniel Andrews has revealed he does not miss Spring St “at all” and is enjoying life away from the spotlight.
Almost one year on from his shock departure from politics, the former premier has confessed that he has not missed his time at the helm for “one moment”.
Mr Andrews, speaking to the Herald Sun following a powerful speech in support of Israel, said he was enjoying the freedom to focus on his own life rather than the lives of Victorians.
“I can worry about my world, not everybody else’s,” he said.
Asked if he was missing politics, he was quick to respond.
“Not at all,” he said.
“Not even for one moment.”
The comments come as Mr Andrews declared that he could not support Palestinian statehood until Hamas was ousted from power.
Mr Andrews speaking at Temple Beth Israel this week. Picture: Peter Haskin
And as the career politician enters into business with Melbourne rich-lister and executive chairman of Visy, Anthony Pratt.
Mr Andrews appears to have been hired as a consultant with the high-profile Jewish businessmen, alongside former prime minister Scott Morrison.
On Thursday, the former premier described himself as a “steadfast” supporter for Jewish homeland during the launch of Labor Friends of Israel Australia at Temple Beth Israel in St Kilda, calling the rise in anti-Semitism since October 7 “pure evil”.
“I think I’m obliged to say that I do not at this time support a recognition of a Palestinian state,” he said.
“That is not to say that the recognition of a Palestinian state is something that should never occur.”
Mr Andrews is enjoying focusing on his own world after years in the spotlight. Picture: Getty
Mr Andrews said terrorist organisation Hamas, which governs Gaza, was not a partner for peace and only cared about the “eradication of the Jewish state”.
He later reiterated that he was “not a one-state solution kind of guy” and hoped that Israel could eventually exist peacefully alongside a Palestinian state.
Premier Jacinta Allan, who was asked whether she would currently support recognising Palestinian state on Friday, said a two-state solution was “some way off”.
“In terms of Victoria’s position it does match the federal position,” she said.
“A two-state solution can drive a stronger more secure region.”
“But ... it is absolutely clear that that is some way off.”
Since quitting the top job in September last year, Mr Andrews has also launched his own business ventures, Glencairn Street Pty Ltd and Wedgetail Partners Pty Ltd, alongside his former adviser on China Zheng “Marty” Mei.
Earlier this month, he was spotted at Melbourne Airport arriving home from a family holiday in New Zealand with wife Catherine Andrews and one of his sons.
His return to Melbourne came one day after he agreed to surrender phone records relating to a now infamous Blairgowrie near-fatal car crash in 2013.
The former premier has engaged high-profile lawyer Leon Zwier from leading law firm Arnold Bloch Leibler to represent him and his wife in a Supreme Court battle over the crash which left then-15 year old Ryan Meuleman fighting for life.
Carly Douglas
