“It’s easy to get emotional – but, trying to be balanced, he’s done many good things,” leading businessman and former Toll boss Paul Little said. “But his autocratic style meant that he didn’t always make the best decisions.AdvertisementAdir Shiffman suggested Victoria was still suffering under Mr Andrews’ decisions.
“Anyone who leads is going to divide people. The alternative is appeasement where no one wins,” he said.“He’s led an activist Labor government that dealt with the issues that had to be dealt with ... in so many ways and on so many occasions, he has shown real political leadership.” Reserve Bank board member and property sector leader Carol Schwartz said that Mr Andrews had been “a very strong leader in what has been a particularly challenging time”, but that leadership changes were in line with good governance principles.“As we know from the corporate world, refreshing and regeneration of leadership is important and a sign of good governance,” she said.
Despite being part of an inner circle who had urged Andrews to stay the course as pressure mounted this year, Mr Beck also agreed that Mr Andrews had chosen the right moment to quit. “Everything he’s ever done as leader has been an exercise in controlling the narrative, including his exit from politics.”