Cesar Melhem’s exit exposes weak leadership, reform need

Cesar Melhem has finally quit as Legislative Council whip, but this saga has been a huge blow to Premier Andrews’ leadership.

As The Age newspaper said ahead of Mr Melhem’s resignation.

“Cesar Melhem is another symbol of all that is wrong with the Labor Party, a union leader who placed self interest before the struggling workers he represented, a factional hack gifted a parliamentary seat and well-paid government job….

“That the Premier has not acted before now is shameful.”

For a week, Daniel Andrews hid in his bunker and refused to deal with the issue or tell Victorians where he stood. In the end, the decision had to be made for him.

If Premier Andrews couldn’t face up to Victorians on this issue, how can they have any confidence in his leadership on any other issue?

Despite Mr Melhem’s resignation, The Age’s strong words still stand, and highlight both our Premier’s values and the urgent need for legislation to reform Australia’s union movement.

To read The Age’s commentary, see Daniel Andrews needs to come out of hiding and act on Cesar Melhem allegations, and for their report on today’s events, see Cesar Melhem steps down as party whip .