Cade Lucas
Melbourne’s north-west has lost a premier but gained a deputy.
Former premier Daniel Andrews was born in Williamstown, but new deputy-premier, Ben Carroll, was born in Airport-West and represents the seat of Niddrie, taking in parts of Brimbank such as Keilor and Keilor Park.
The former public transport minister, who entered parliament in 2012, was briefly a contender for the top job before a deal was struck that resulted in Jacinta Allan replacing Andrews and Carroll replacing her as understudy.
It’s unlikely either will have the influence over Melbourne’s north west that the former premier did though.
Labor’s dominance over the area (where it holds every state and federal seat) and Andrews dominance over it, meant he arguably weilded more power over the north and west than anyone before him.
This was demonstrated in the aftermath of his resignation as a succession of western suburbs Labor MP’s offered glowing tributes.
“He demonstrated his commitment to the west too in building the infrastructure our growing western suburbs require,” said federal MP for Lalor, Joanne Ryan.
“It’s been an honour to work with you in delivering for Melbourne’s West” said Laverton MP Sarah Connolly.
“If you look out the window, you might be able to see a local legacy of Dan’s leadership,” said Footscray MP, Katie Hall, referencing infrastructure projects like the Westgate Tunnell and the new Footscray Hospital.
Elsewhere the reaction has been more mixed.
Altona GP and former national president of the Australian Medical Association, Dr Mukesh Haikerwal, praised Andrews’ leadership at the beginning of the pandemic when they cooperated to contain outbreaks in the west.
“That was very positive,” said Dr Haikerwal of their relationship before things went downhill.
“It sort of went off the rails when there were nonsensical directions, like the Westgate bridge provided some kind of barrier.
“If you were on one side of the bridge you were in trouble and if you were on the other side you weren’t,” said Dr Haikerwal of measures he described as cruel and militaristic, the most notorious of which was the locking down of public housing towers in Flemington.
”They were locked up and had limited services provided to them,” said general secretary of the Sudanese Community Association of Victoria, Yassin Firea, whose members were among those affected.
“Yes some of them they are not happy about that experience.”
However, Firea said Andrews earlier defence of the Sudanese community during the African gangs crime scare meant he was still highly regarded.
“The media targeted them (Sudanese youth) really badly and politicians like Peter Dutton, his comments about the Sudanese were very inflammatory and made people feel they are not welcome in the community.
“The good thing about Daniel Andrews at the start of his term he stood up to this and started to make a positive impact in terms of dealing with Sudanese youth,” said Mr Firea who lives in Caroline Springs and also credited the former premier for building infrastructure in the west.
However, for Werribee South’s Joe Garra, it’s more about what the west missed out on under Andrews than what it received.
“We’re one of the few places that had level crossing removals but not station upgrades” said Mr Garra who is president of the Werribee South Ratepayers Association.
“We’re not gonna get any benefit from the suburban rail loop for 30, 40 years at a minimum.”
It was this sense of neglect and being taken for granted that led Mr Garra to run as an independent at the last two state elections.
“It wasn’t as much about winning but making it more marginal so we could get some services.
The marginal seats get the most spending.”
He was sceptical that new premier Jacinta Allan would treat the west any different.
“We definitely need more focus but I don’t know how they’re gonna do it now without any money.”
