The Dark Legacy of Daniel Andrews edited by Morgan Begg

Assessing the Social and Economic Costs of Australia’s Most Controversial Premier

Paperback, 180 pages, $29.95

ISBN 9781923568075

December 2025 release

The Dark Legacy of Daniel Andrews examines the aftermath of Victoria's 48th premier, who ruled from 2014 to 2023.

Daniel Andrews was not just a successful electoral politician; he fundamentally reshaped institutions, centralised power in the premiers’ office, and exercised untrammelled authority over the state.

Andrews' legacy is one of a political leader preoccupied with the pursuit of power and political expediency and running the "the most progressive government" in Australia. The result is immense public sector bloat, out-of-control white-elephant infrastructure projects, extraordinary public debt, hostility to basic personal and political freedoms, and an ideologically driven breakdown of the education and energy systems.

Recording what happened to Victoria is key to restoring good government – and reveals to all Australians the danger of going down the same dark path.

Mirko Bagaric | Morgan Begg | Adam Creighton | Gigi Foster | Scott Hargreaves | Peter Jennings | John Lloyd | Brianna McKee | Kevin You