Daniel Andrews

Victorians re-elected the Andrews government for a third term. Thinking from a Christian perspective, this is significant because, as Premier Andrews said, the result confirmed Victoria's reputation as "the most progressive state" in the country.

Australia has been blessed with an over-representation of Christians among our political leaders. If you want to know more specifics, read In God They Trust: The religious beliefs of our prime ministers 1901-2013, by journalist Roy Williams.

This observation does not lead to the conclusion that Christian politicians are better because they are Christians. For instance, Kevin Rudd and Scott Morrison are both professing Christians. But both were leaders who, at times, lacked wisdom.

Daniel Andrews is another matter. He is the first leader who overtly has an agenda that is other than Christian. Regarding his victory, he said, "We are a progressive state, we are a thoughtful state, we are the centre of critical thinking, we are the centre of all the big ideas in our nation."

Andrew’s big progressive ideas are about inclusion, identity politics, anti-discrimination, and the like. His recent comments about Anglican Church City on a Hill are concerning. He called out the church's views as 'bigotry' and 'hatred' in light of the Essendon saga.

The Melbourne Catholic Archbishop weighed into the debate. He labelled Andrew’s comments as harmful. Premier Andrews responded by telling the Archbishop that calling out homophobia is his type of Catholicism.

Andrew’s version of Catholicism on a range of topics looks less Catholic and more like progressivism. Andrews can believe what he likes. That he, as the premier, tells the Archbishop and the chair of City on a Hill’s church board what they can say in public, that is concerning.

By Rev. David Rietveld