Former Aussie Premier Daniel Andrews Spotted in New York

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (2nd right) departs with his family after announcing his retirement as premier and from politics, in Melbourne, Tuesday, Sept.26, 2023. (AAP Image/James Ross)

Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has been spotted at the John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

Mr. Andrews looked relaxed as he waited for his baggage at an airport in the photo, which has now been shared by multiple media outlets.

Australian showbiz reporter Peter Ford posted an image of Mr. Andrews on Thursday morning Australian time.

“You never know who you'll spot in arrivals line at JFK airport New York,” he posted on X.

Speculation has emerged in The Age newspaper in Victoria that Mr Andrews could be in line for a prestigious job such as consul-general in New York. A Labor source told the publication recently the job is “his if he wants it.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews (2nd right) departs with his family after announcing his retirement as premier and from politics, in Melbourne, Tuesday, Sept.26, 2023. (AAP Image/James Ross)

However, at the time of writing, this has not been confirmed, and Mr. Andrews could be just in the United States for a holiday.

Keen ‘Golfer’

On social media, Mr. Andrews now describes himself as a “keen golfer” on his X (formerly Twitter) page.

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He has not posted on X since Sept. 26, the date of his resignation, when he said, “Leading this state has been the greatest of gifts, every single day. Thank you, Victoria.”

However, just two days ago Mr. Andrews shared a picture of himself voting early at The Voice referendum to Instagram.

“You don’t get different results by trying the same thing over and over again. The Voice is our opportunity to do things differently,” he posted.

Mr. Andrews resigned as Victorian Premier in late September, less than a year after he was elected in November 2022.

At the time, Mr. Andrews said stepping down was not an easy decision, but thoughts had started to creep in about life after politics.

“But when it’s time, it’s time. Recently I have been speaking to my kids and Cath. Thoughts of what life will be like after this job have started to creep in,” Mr. Andrews said.

“And I have always known that the moment that happens, it’s time to go—and to give this privilege, this amazing responsibility, to someone else.

Mr. Andrews handed over the top job to Jacinta Allan, a fellow member of Labor’s socialist left faction.

Mr. Andrews will now be entitled to a lifelong pension of $300,000 a year (US$192,000). The pension is due to his 21 years of service as a member of Mulgrave, 13 years of service as leader of the Labor Party, and nine years as the state’s longest-serving Premier.

While serving as premier, Mr. Andrews was the highest paid premier in Australia, with a salary of $481,190 plus allowances.

Despite criticisms for his policies, particularly the pandemic measures, Mr. Andrews was praised by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for being a person of “deep conviction, great compassion, and fierce determination.”

Mr. Andrews is married to his wife Catherine and has three children, Grace, Noah and Joseph.