Dan Andrews' ally hits back at James Packer and reveals the ‘REAL' reason for the billionaire's brutal 'human filth' tirade

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A recently-retired Labor minister has backed under-siege former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews, who he said is simply copping backlash because of his 'success'.

Andrews was branded 'human filth' in a shocking outburst by billionaire tycoon James Packer during a podcast interview published over the weekend. 

But Luke Donnellan spoke out in defence of his former boss and insisted he is only getting 'cancelled' because of his ability to 'get things done'.

'The thing I'll say about Daniel is he always did what what he said what he is going to do - he was always straightforward with the public,' Donnellan told the Daily Mail.

'He got on and built the infrastructure which we are starting to see the fruits of now. You only get cancelled and focused on if you're very successful.

'Daniel was superb communicating with suburban families, he was an incredibly successful premier who won his elections so convincingly.

'It's the old one, "Let's have a dig at him, he's out now, so let's have a crack" but you look at Daniel's record in the context of history and it is very good.'

Donnellan, a 20-year veteran Narre Warren North MP who retired from politics in 2022, said he is still mates with Andrews and the pair speak regularly.

'We speak every so often, you know, pick up the phone and say hello, Daniel doesn't speak about that [public backlash] - he keeps his own counsel on that,' Donnellan said.

Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews with his wife Catherine

Former Labor minister Luke Donnellan has come out to defend his former boss who said he is only getting 'cancelled' because of his ability to 'get things done'

'He doesn't share if he's p***ed off or not, I very much doubt he'd mention this [comments made by James Packer] next time we speak.

'For Daniel it'll be water off a duck's back, I think he just smiles and gets on with business, his relationships internationally are very strong.

'I'd say he'll just ignore this and get on with doing things well.'

Donnellan, 59, who chairs a road software company and is on the board of charities, said Andrews 'won't care' about business owners cancelling him nor will he be bothered by social media vitriol.

'I think the family might be a bit upset, but he won't care,' Donnellan said.

Speaking with Rampart host Joe Aston on his $200million superyacht, Mr Packer claimed Andrews almost ruined his life by imposing a last-minute increase in casino tax rates during the $8.9billion takeover of Crown Resorts by Blackstone in 2022.

'Daniel Andrews is about my least favourite person in the world. I think Daniel Andrews not only ruined Victoria, he almost ruined my life,' he said.

'What he's done to the balance sheet of Victoria is impossible to fix … I couldn't speak more lowly of Daniel Andrews. I think he's human filth … I hope he sues me.'

Andrews has copped it since he stepped down as premier in 2023

James Packer with his former fiancée ,singer Mariah Carey

Andrews was labelled a 'dictator' in a controversial new mural in Melbourne over the weekend

Packer's comments came just as Andrews was labelled a 'dictator' in a controversial new mural in Melbourne which was unveiled over the weekend.

The mural was the handiwork of street artist Jarrod 'JGrech' Grech, who painted the street portrait in a laneway near the city's famous Victoria Market.

The painting depicts Andrews wearing a suit with the word 'dictator' across his image in Grech's signature red-stamp style branding.

Grech posted his work on social media accompanied by the AC/DC song Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap and tagged the mural as the 'Final Boss'.

The mural has only been up on a wall for less than 48 hours, but already social media has lit up with praise for the artist, and condemnation for Andrews.

'I cannot believe Victorians voted him back in... Stockholm syndrome is real. Love your work,' one Aussie said.

Another said it was the 'best artwork I've ever seen,' while another lamented, 'it's a shame you do such amazing work I'd love to p*** on that.'

Liberal Sandringham MP Brad Rowswell previously told the Daily Mail he wanted the statuee plan to be axed

A fourth added: 'Hate is a very strong word and I have never felt or used it till 2020/21 towards this person.'

In September, Andrews drew widespread criticism, including from senior Labor figures within his own party when he posed for a class photo alongside Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping in China.

Also, a planned bronze statue to honour Andrews was slammed amid fears the monument would 'cost taxpayers a fortune'.

The project was given the green light by the Labor-run state government despite Victoria facing a crippling budget crunch amid a ballooning debt crisis.

Liberal Sandringham MP Brad Rowswell previously told the Daily Mail he wanted the statue plan to be axed.

'Cost of living is through the roof and Victorians don't feel safe in their homes,' Mr Rowswell said.

'But Labor want to push on with an obelisk to their former dear leader. How out of touch can this mob be?

'Dan Andrews' legacy, now eclipsed by the incompetence of Jacinta Allan, is nothing to celebrate.

'He stuffed the state, sent us broke and every Victorian is paying for the price of his destruction.

Andrews would not care what people say about him according to former minister Luke Donnellan

'The truth is the statue, should it go ahead, it'll be vandalised or even decapitated every other day and will spend more time being repaired than being in public.

'In a cruel twist I fear it'll keep costing taxpayers more money to fix and keep it protected.

'It's about time Labor read the tea leaves on this one and rid their former leader to the dust bin of history where he belongs.'

Andrews was also 'cancelled' by several businessmen including Jim's Mowing founder Jim Penman and Melbourne hospitality heavy-hitters Paul Dimattina and Chris Lucas who banned the former leader from using their services. 

Prestigious National Golf Club on the Mornington Peninsula also banned Andrews from joining and there were also rumours exclusive Portsea Golf Club knocked back the ex-premier.

Andrews was Victorian Premier for almost nine years before he resigned in late 2023 and he has taken on a new role at Orygen, a mental health organisation.