Andrews made the announcement at a snap media conference in Melbourne on Tuesday afternoon.

“Nine years ago, I visited Government House to be sworn in as the 48th premier of Victoria – it has been the honour and privilege of my life,” he said.

“I’m also proud to think of all that we have achieved over these nine years in good times, and always working hard to do what’s right, not simply what’s popular.”

He said he would stand down as Premier and MP in his Melbourne seat of Mulgrave at 5pm on Wednesday.

“It is not an easy decision because as much as we have achieved together, there’s so much to do. When it is time, it is time,” he said.

“The only way I know how to do this job is to have it consume me, to have it define me. To a certain extent every waking moment is about the work. And that takes a toll.”

Andrews’ wife Cath and cabinet ministers were also there for the announcement.

“Recently in talking to my kids and Cath, thoughts of what life will be like after this job have started to creep in. I have always known that the moment that happens, it is time to go and to give this privilege, this amazing responsibility, to someone else,” he said.

“It is not an easy job being Premier of our state – but that is not a complaint, that is just fact. It requires 100 per cent from you and your family. That of course, is time-limited – and now is the time to step away.”

Andrews has been premier for nine years and leader of the Victorian Labor Party for 13 years. He booted out a first-term Liberal government to become premier in 2014, and led Labor to two more victories in 2018 and 2022.

On his immediate plans for life post-politics, he said he would “have some time off, play a little golf, read the – literally – the pile of books in the corner”.

“I’ll do a few things that are about me, and I am going to go through what will be a fairly challenging adjustment,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to a very different place and doing different things – so long you can do that for. And I think at least a good part of it will be about trying to support Victoria to be strong and to be leading our nation.”

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas paid tribute to Andrews this afternoon.

“Daniel Andrews has been a strong, thoughtful, and progressive Premier and I congratulate him on his substantial political career working in the interests of the Victorian people,” Malinauskas said.

“He took the Victorian Labor Party from Opposition to Government in 2014 and has gone on to become that state’s longest serving Labor Premier. That is a substantial achievement, delivering significant reforms while contending with major challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I worked closely alongside Dan in National Cabinet and the Council for the Australian Federation. I admire his thoughtfulness and tenacity.

“I wish Dan, Cath and their family all the best for the next chapter of their lives.”

-This story was first published in The New Daily