Steve Bracks

July 28, 2007, 7:56am,  308 views

Steve Bracks resigned as Premier of Victoria yesterday and John Thwaites resigned immediately afterwards as Deputy Premier.

Bracks has been one of Victoria’s best ever Premiers and finishes just short of 3000 days in office, which would have entitled him to a statue in Treasury Place. In John Brumby’s words he restored “decency” after the excesses of the Kennett years.

Thwaites was under a cloud though after his involvement in the ski rorts affair and having asked for free accommodation at National Parks. It would have been difficult for him to step into the role of Premier, whereas Brumby is a cleanskin.

Contrast the responses yesterday from the Opposition parties to Bracks’ announcement. Liberal Party leader Ted Baillieu was wild:

“Just eight months ago Victorians were invited to elect a Bracks and Thwaites Government and now Victorians are entitled to ask themselves were they conned?” he said.

National Party leader Peter Ryan said:

Premier Steve Bracks rang me this morning immediately before his press conference to personally inform me of his decision to resign. I wished him and his family well for the future. Steve Bracks leaves public life with his head held high after a distinguished Parliamentary career.

While we have been fierce political rivals, Steve and I have always maintained a level of professionalism in our respective dealings. Unfailingly, he has treated me with courtesy and respect in our political and personal dealings.

While we may not have agreed on many policy issues affecting the future of country Victorians, I have respected his approach to the difficult role of leading this State. I personally thank him for his willingness to serve as a Member of Parliament and I acknowledge the contribution he has made to public life. I wish Steve and his family well.

The Liberal Party should possibly consider a coalition with Peter Ryan as leader and alternative Premier.