Melbourne and much of Victoria woke to sobering headlines on February 3, 2026: the political era defined by Daniel Andrews — the state’s longest-serving modern Premier — may be quietly approaching its final chapter, not through election or scandal, but through a serious, progressive illness that his inner circle can no longer keep private.

Multiple family members and close confidants have begun speaking — first off the record, then more openly — about a neurological condition that has steadily worsened since Andrews stepped down as Premier in September 2023. What was initially presented to the public as a deliberate choice to “spend more time with family” and “recover from the immense pressures of office” is now being described in far more concerning terms.

According to sources close to the former leader, Andrews was diagnosed in mid-2024 with a rare neurodegenerative disorder initially presenting as chronic fatigue, intermittent loss of coordination, episodes of severe vertigo, and increasing difficulty with fine motor control. Over the past 18 months the condition has progressed to include muscle weakness (particularly in the legs and hands), episodes of slurred speech, difficulty swallowing, and periods of cognitive fog that can last hours or days. He has undergone multiple hospital admissions, including a prolonged stay over the 2025 Christmas period during which his condition was described by one family member as “critical but stable.”

A relative speaking anonymously to The Age said: “Dan has fought this the same way he fought every crisis as Premier — with sheer determination and refusal to quit. But there comes a point where your body simply doesn’t listen anymore. He told us quietly over Christmas: ‘It’s time.’ Not time to give up, but time to accept that the public life he once lived may be over.”

Since resigning, Andrews has made only a handful of carefully managed public appearances. His most recent — a short, visibly frail video message supporting Victorian Labor ahead of the 2026 state election — was met with an outpouring of both sympathy and concern. Those who have seen him privately describe a man who remains mentally sharp, politically engaged, and determined to stay connected with friends and former colleagues, but whose physical decline is now unmistakable.

The news has prompted an emotional wave of reflection across the political spectrum. Current Premier Jacinta Allan issued a statement calling Andrews “one of the most consequential leaders Victoria has ever had” and wishing him and his family strength. Opposition Leader John Pesutto offered bipartisan respect: “Whatever our political differences, Dan Andrews was a formidable opponent and a dedicated servant of this state. We wish him and his loved ones well.”

Former federal Labor leader Bill Shorten posted: “Dan carried burdens few could imagine — through bushfires, pandemic, floods, and more. Now it’s time for him to rest and let others carry the load.”

Public sentiment has shifted noticeably since Andrews left office. Many Victorians who once vilified him over the state’s prolonged COVID lockdowns have softened, acknowledging the immense personal toll of nearly nine years of crisis leadership. Others remain critical, viewing the health disclosure with skepticism or indifference. Social media has been flooded with memories — both affectionate and angry — of the man who once seemed politically indestructible.

Medical experts consulted by media outlets suggest that if the condition is indeed a form of motor neuron disease or a related neurodegenerative disorder, the prognosis is guarded. Andrews is reportedly spending his days at home with wife Catherine and their three children, focusing on family, quiet reading, and occasional conversations with former colleagues.

The man who once commanded daily press conferences with iron certainty now faces a battle no policy, no infrastructure project, and no election can win. As Victoria quietly prepares for life after Dan Andrews, the state he helped shape must confront a future without him at the centre — and, perhaps, without him at all.

In the end, even the strongest political figures are mortal. And sometimes “It’s time” is not a campaign slogan — it’s a heartbreaking personal reality.