Premier of Victoria
The premier of Victoria is the head of government in the Australian state of Victoria. The premier is appointed by the governor of Victoria, and is the leader of the political party able to secure a majority in the Victorian Legislative Assembly.
Premier of Victoria | |
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Department of Premier and Cabinet | |
Style |
|
Status | Head of Government |
Member of |
|
Reports to | Parliament |
Seat | 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne |
Appointer | Governor of Victoria by convention, based on appointee's ability to command confidence in the Legislative Assembly |
Term length | At the Governor's pleasure contingent on the premier's ability to command confidence in the lower house of Parliament |
Constituting instrument | None (constitutional convention) |
Formation | 30 November 1855 |
First holder | William Haines |
Deputy | Deputy Premier of Victoria |
Salary | AU$441,439[1] |
Website | www.premier.vic.gov.au |
Responsible government came to the colony of Victoria in 1855. Between 1856 and 1892, the head of the government was commonly called the premier or the prime minister, but neither title had any legal basis. The head of government always held another portfolio, usually Chief Secretary or Treasurer, for which they were paid a salary. The first head of government to hold the title of premier without holding another portfolio was William Shiels in 1892.
Premiers of Victoria who have served for more than 3000 days have a statue installed at Treasury Place. Four Victorian premiers have been afforded this honour: Albert Dunstan, Henry Bolte, Rupert Hamer and John Cain Junior.[2][3][4]
The incumbent premier of Victoria since the 2014 election is Daniel Andrews of the Australian Labor Party.
List of premiers of Victoria
Independent (20)
Reform (2)
Commonwealth Liberal (2)
Labor (9)
Nationalist (3)
Country (3)
United Australia (1)
Liberal (8)
No. | Portrait | Premier | Election | Term of office | Political party | Constituency | Ministry | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Took office | Left office | Time in office[5] | |||||||
1 | ![]() |
William Haines | 1856 | 30 November 1855 | 11 March 1857 | 1 year, 102 days | Independent | South Grant | Haines I |
2 | ![]() |
John O'Shanassy | — | 11 March 1857 | 29 April 1857 | 50 days | Independent | Kilmore | O'Shanassy I |
(1) | ![]() |
William Haines | — | 29 April 1857 | 10 March 1858 | 316 days | Independent | South Grant | Haines II |
(2) | ![]() |
John O'Shanassy | — | 10 March 1858 | 27 October 1859 | 1 year, 232 days | Independent | Kilmore | O'Shanassy II |
3 | ![]() |
William Nicholson | 1859 | 27 October 1859 | 26 November 1860 | 1 year, 31 days | Independent | Sandridge | Nicholson |
4 | ![]() |
Richard Heales | 1861 | 26 November 1860 | 14 November 1861 | 354 days | Independent | East Bourke Boroughs | Heales |
(2) | ![]() |
John O'Shanassy | — | 14 November 1861 | 27 June 1863 | 1 year, 226 days | Independent | Kilmore | O'Shanassy III |
5 | ![]() |
James McCulloch | 1864 1866 1868 |
27 June 1863 | 6 May 1868 | 4 years, 315 days | Independent | Mornington | McCulloch I |
6 | ![]() |
Charles Sladen | — | 6 May 1868 | 11 July 1868 | 67 days | Independent | Western Province | Sladen |
(5) | ![]() |
James McCulloch | — | 11 July 1868 | 20 September 1869 | 1 year, 72 days | Independent | Mornington | McCulloch II |
7 | ![]() |
John Alexander MacPherson | — | 20 September 1869 | 9 April 1870 | 202 days | Independent | Dundas | MacPherson |
(5) | ![]() |
James McCulloch | 1871 | 9 April 1870 | 19 June 1871 | 1 year, 72 days | Independent | Mornington | McCulloch III |
8 | ![]() |
Charles Gavan Duffy | — | 19 June 1871 | 10 June 1872 | 358 days | Independent | Dalhousie | Duffy |
9 | ![]() |
James Francis | 1874 | 10 June 1872 | 31 July 1874 | 2 years, 52 days | Independent | Richmond | Francis |
10 | ![]() |
George Kerferd | — | 31 July 1874 | 7 August 1875 | 1 year, 8 days | Independent | Ovens | Kerferd |
11 | ![]() |
Graham Berry | — | 7 August 1875 | 20 October 1875 | 75 days | Non-Party Liberalism | Geelong West | Berry I |
(5) | ![]() |
James McCulloch | — | 20 October 1875 | 21 May 1877 | 1 year, 214 days | Non-Party Conservatism | Warrnambool | McCulloch IV |
(11) | ![]() |
Graham Berry | 1877 Feb. 1880 |
21 May 1877 | 5 March 1880 | 2 years, 290 days | Non-Party Liberalism | Geelong | Berry II |
12 | ![]() |
James Service | Feb. 1880 | 5 March 1880 | 3 August 1880 | 152 days | Non-Party Conservatism | Maldon | Service I |
(11) | ![]() |
Graham Berry | Jul. 1880 | 3 August 1880 | 9 July 1881 | 341 days | Non-Party Liberalism | Geelong | Berry III |
13 | ![]() |
Bryan O'Loghlen | — | 9 July 1881 | 8 March 1883 | 1 year, 243 days | Non-Party Liberalism | West Bourke | O'Loghlen |
(12) | ![]() |
James Service | 1883 | 8 March 1883 | 18 February 1886 | 2 years, 348 days | Non-Party Conservatism | Castlemaine | Service II |
14 | ![]() |
Duncan Gillies | 1886 1889 |
18 February 1886 | 5 November 1890 | 4 years, 261 days | Non-Party Conservatism | Rodney Eastern Suburbs |
Gillies |
15 | ![]() |
James Munro | — | 5 November 1890 | 16 February 1892 | 1 year, 104 days | Non-Party Liberalism | Geelong | Munro |
16 | ![]() |
William Shiels | 1892 | 16 February 1892 | 23 January 1893 | 343 days | Non-Party Liberalism | Normanby | Shiels |
17 | ![]() |
James Patterson | — | 23 January 1893 | 27 September 1894 | 1 year, 248 days | Non-Party Conservatism | Castlemaine | Patterson |
18 | ![]() |
George Turner | 1894 1897 |
27 September 1894 | 5 December 1899 | 5 years, 70 days | Non-Party Liberalism | St Kilda | Turner I |
19 | ![]() |
Allan McLean | — | 5 December 1899 | 19 November 1900 | 350 days | Non-Party Liberalism | Gippsland North | McLean |
(18) | ![]() |
George Turner | 1900 | 19 November 1900 | 12 February 1901 | 86 days | Non-Party Liberalism | St Kilda | Turner II |
20 | ![]() |
Alexander Peacock | — | 12 February 1901 | 10 June 1902 | 1 year, 119 days | Non-Party Liberalism | Clunes and Allandale | Peacock I |
21 | ![]() |
William Irvine | 1902 | 10 June 1902 | 16 February 1904 | 1 year, 252 days | Reform | Lowan | Irvine |
22 | ![]() |
Thomas Bent | 1904 1907 1908 |
16 February 1904 | 8 January 1909 | 4 years, 328 days | Reform | Brighton | Bent |
23 | ![]() |
John Murray | 1911 | 8 January 1909 | 18 May 1912 | 3 years, 132 days | Commonwealth Liberal | Warrnambool | Murray |
24 | ![]() |
William Watt | — | 18 May 1912 | 9 December 1913 | 1 year, 206 days | Commonwealth Liberal | Essendon | Watt I |
25 | ![]() |
George Elmslie | — | 9 December 1913 | 22 December 1913 | 14 days | Labor | Albert Park | Elmslie |
(24) | ![]() |
William Watt | — | 22 December 1913 | 18 June 1914 | 179 days | Commonwealth Liberal | Essendon | Watt II |
(20) | ![]() |
Alexander Peacock | 1914 | 18 June 1914 | 29 November 1917 | 3 years, 165 days | Commonwealth Liberal | Allandale | Peacock II |
26 | ![]() |
John Bowser | 1917 | 29 November 1917 | 21 March 1918 | 144 days | Nationalist | Wangaratta | Bowser |
27 | ![]() |
Harry Lawson | 1920 1921 |
21 March 1918 | 28 April 1924 | 6 years, 39 days | Nationalist | Castlemaine and Maldon | Lawson I Lawson II Lawson III |
(20) | ![]() |
Alexander Peacock | — | 28 April 1924 | 18 July 1924 | 82 days | Nationalist | Allandale | Peacock III |
28 | ![]() |
George Prendergast | 1924 | 18 July 1924 | 18 November 1924 | 124 days | Labor | North Melbourne | Prendergast |
29 | ![]() |
John Allan | — | 18 November 1924 | 20 May 1927 | 2 years, 184 days | Country | Rodney | Allan |
30 | ![]() |
Edmond Hogan | 1927 | 20 May 1927 | 22 November 1928 | 1 year, 187 days | Labor | Warrenheip and Grenville | Hogan I |
31 | ![]() |
William McPherson | — | 22 November 1928 | 12 December 1929 | 1 year, 21 days | Nationalist | Hawthorn | McPherson |
(30) | ![]() |
Edmond Hogan | 1929 | 12 December 1929 | 19 May 1932 | 2 years, 160 days | Labor | Warrenheip and Grenville | Hogan II |
32 | ![]() |
Stanley Argyle | 1932 1935 |
19 May 1932 | 2 April 1935 | 2 years, 319 days | United Australia | Toorak | Argyle I Argyle II |
33 | ![]() |
Albert Dunstan | 1937 1940 1943 |
2 April 1935 | 14 September 1943 | 8 years, 166 days | United Country | Korong and Eaglehawk | Dunstan I |
34 | ![]() |
John Cain Sr. | — | 14 September 1943 | 18 September 1943 | 5 days | Labor | Northcote | Cain I |
(33) | ![]() |
Albert Dunstan | — | 18 September 1943 | 2 October 1945 | 2 years, 15 days | United Country | Korong and Eaglehawk | Dunstan II |
35 | ![]() |
Ian Macfarlan | — | 2 October 1945 | 21 November 1945 | 51 days | Liberal | Brighton | Macfarlan |
(34) | ![]() |
John Cain Sr. | 1945 | 21 November 1945 | 20 November 1947 | 2 years, 0 days | Labor | Northcote | Cain II |
36 | ![]() |
Thomas Hollway | 1947 1950 |
20 November 1947 | 27 June 1950 | 2 years, 220 days | Liberal Liberal and Country |
Ballarat | Hollway I Hollway II |
37 | ![]() |
John McDonald | — | 27 June 1950 | 28 October 1952 | 2 years, 124 days | Country | Shepparton | McDonald I |
(36) | ![]() |
Thomas Hollway | — | 28 October 1952 | 31 October 1952 | 4 days | Electoral Reform | Ballarat | Hollway III |
(37) | ![]() |
John McDonald | — | 31 October 1952 | 17 December 1952 | 48 days | Country | Shepparton | McDonald II |
(34) | ![]() |
John Cain Sr. | 1952 | 17 December 1952 | 7 June 1955 | 2 years, 173 days | Labor | Northcote | Cain III |
38 | ![]() |
Henry Bolte | 1955 1958 1961 1964 1967 1970 |
7 June 1955 | 23 August 1972 | 17 years, 78 days | Liberal and Country Liberal |
Hampden | Bolte I Bolte II Bolte III Bolte IV Bolte V Bolte VI |
39 | ![]() |
Rupert Hamer | 1973 1976 1979 |
23 August 1972 | 5 June 1981 | 8 years, 287 days | Liberal | Kew | Hamer I Hamer II Hamer III Hamer IV |
40 | Lindsay Thompson | — | 5 June 1981 | 8 April 1982 | 308 days | Liberal | Malvern | Thompson | |
41 | ![]() |
John Cain Jr. | 1982 1985 1988 |
8 April 1982 | 10 August 1990 | 8 years, 125 days | Labor | Bundoora | Cain Jr. I Cain Jr. II Cain Jr. III |
42 | ![]() |
Joan Kirner | — | 10 August 1990 | 6 October 1992 | 2 years, 58 days | Labor | Williamstown | Kirner |
43 | ![]() |
Jeff Kennett | 1992 1996 |
6 October 1992 | 20 October 1999 | 7 years, 15 days | Liberal | Burwood | Kennett I Kennett II |
44 | ![]() |
Steve Bracks | 1999 2002 2006 |
20 October 1999 | 30 July 2007 | 7 years, 284 days | Labor | Williamstown | Bracks I Bracks II Bracks III |
45 | ![]() |
John Brumby | — | 30 July 2007 | 2 December 2010 | 3 years, 126 days | Labor | Broadmeadows | Brumby |
46 | ![]() |
Ted Baillieu | 2010 | 2 December 2010 | 6 March 2013 | 2 years, 95 days | Liberal | Hawthorn | Baillieu |
47 | ![]() |
Denis Napthine | — | 6 March 2013 | 4 December 2014 | 1 year, 274 days | Liberal | South-West Coast | Napthine |
48 | ![]() |
Daniel Andrews | 2014 2018 |
4 December 2014 | Incumbent | 7 years, 151 days | Labor | Mulgrave | Andrews I Andrews II |
Statistics
The median age of a premier on the first day of their first term is roughly 49 years, and 137 days which falls between Henry Bolte and John McDonald. The youngest person to assume the office was John Alexander MacPherson at 35 years and 340 days. The oldest person to assume office was George Prendergast at 70 years and 59 days.
The oldest living former premier is Jeff Kennett, born 2 March 1948 (age 74 years, 62 days). The youngest living former premier is Steve Bracks, born 15 October 1954, (age 67 years, 200 days). The youngest living premier is the incumbent Daniel Andrews, born 6 July 1972, (age 49 years, 301 days).
The longest-lived premier was John Cain Jr. who died on 23 December 2019 aged 88 years and 241 days. Rupert Hamer was the second longest-lived premier, aged 87 years and 238 days. Cain surpassed Hamer's lifespan on 20 December 2018. The oldest living premier, Jeff Kennett, will tie Hamer if he lives to 26 October 2035, and tie Cain if he lives to 29 October 2036. The shortest-lived premier was Richard Heales who died at the age of 42 years and 118 days on 19 June 1864.
The premier with the longest retirement is William Irvine. He left office on 16 February 1904, and died 39 years and 185 days later on 20 August 1943. The premier with the shortest retirement is Thomas Bent, who died on 17 September 1909, 252 days after leaving office on 8 January 1909.
# | Premier | Born | Took office | Age | Left office | Age | Died | Length of retirement | Lifespan |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | William Haines | 10 January 1810 | 30 November 1855 | 45 years, 324 days | 10 March 1858 | 48 years, 59 days | 3 February 1866 | 7 years, 330 days | 56 years, 24 days |
2 | John O'Shanassy | 18 February 1818 | 11 March 1857 | 39 years, 21 days | 27 June 1863 | 45 years, 129 days | 5 May 1883 | 19 years, 312 days | 65 years, 76 days |
3 | William Nicholson | 27 February 1816 | 27 October 1859 | 43 years, 242 days | 26 November 1860 | 44 years, 273 days | 10 March 1865 | 4 years, 104 days | 49 years, 11 days |
4 | Richard Heales | 22 February 1822 | 26 November 1860 | 38 years, 278 days | 14 November 1861 | 39 years, 265 days | 19 June 1864 | 2 years, 218 days | 42 years, 118 days |
5 | James McCulloch | 18 March 1819 | 27 June 1863 | 44 years, 101 days | 21 May 1877 | 58 years, 64 days | 31 January 1893 | 15 years, 255 days | 73 years, 319 days |
6 | Charles Sladen | 28 August 1816 | 6 May 1868 | 51 years, 252 days | 11 July 1868 | 51 years, 318 days | 22 February 1884 | 15 years, 226 days | 67 years, 178 days |
7 | John Alexander MacPherson | 15 October 1833 | 20 September 1869 | 35 years, 340 days | 9 April 1870 | 36 years, 176 days | 17 February 1894 | 23 years, 314 days | 60 years, 125 days |
8 | Charles Gavan Duffy | 12 April 1816 | 19 June 1871 | 55 years, 68 days | 10 June 1872 | 56 years, 59 days | 9 February 1903 | 30 years, 244 days | 86 years, 303 days |
9 | James Francis | 9 January 1819 | 10 June 1872 | 53 years, 153 days | 31 July 1874 | 55 years, 203 days | 25 January 1884 | 9 years, 178 days | 65 years, 16 days |
10 | George Kerferd | 21 January 1831 | 31 July 1874 | 43 years, 191 days | 7 August 1875 | 44 years, 198 days | 31 December 1889 | 14 years, 146 days | 58 years, 344 days |
11 | Graham Berry | 28 August 1822 | 7 August 1875 | 52 years, 344 days | 7 September 1881 | 59 years, 10 days | 25 January 1904 | 22 years, 140 days | 81 years, 150 days |
12 | James Service | 27 November 1823 | 5 March 1880 | 56 years, 99 days | 18 February 1886 | 62 years, 83 days | 13 April 1899 | 13 years, 54 days | 75 years, 137 days |
13 | Bryan O'Loghlen | 27 June 1828 | 7 September 1881 | 53 years, 72 days | 8 March 1883 | 54 years, 254 days | 31 October 1905 | 3 years, 315 days | 58 years, 204 days |
14 | Duncan Gillies | 14 January 1834 | 18 February 1886 | 52 years, 35 days | 5 November 1890 | 56 years, 295 days | 12 September 1903 | 12 years, 311 days | 69 years, 241 days |
15 | James Munro | 7 January 1832 | 5 November 1890 | 58 years, 302 days | 16 February 1892 | 60 years, 40 days | 25 February 1908 | 16 years, 9 days | 76 years, 49 days |
16 | William Shiels | 3 December 1848 | 16 February 1892 | 43 years, 75 days | 23 January 1893 | 44 years, 51 days | 17 December 1904 | 11 years, 329 days | 56 years, 14 days |
17 | James Patterson | 18 November 1833 | 23 January 1893 | 59 years, 66 days | 27 September 1894 | 60 years, 313 days | 30 October 1895 | 1 year, 33 days | 61 years, 346 days |
18 | George Turner | 18 August 1851 | 27 September 1894 | 43 years, 40 days | 12 February 1901 | 49 years, 178 days | 13 August 1916 | 15 years, 183 days | 64 years, 361 days |
19 | Allan McLean | 3 February 1840 | 5 December 1899 | 59 years, 305 days | 19 November 1900 | 60 years, 289 days | 22 September 1935 | 10 years, 236 days | 71 years, 160 days |
20 | Alexander Peacock | 11 June 1861 | 12 February 1901 | 39 years, 246 days | 18 July 1924 | 63 years, 37 days | 7 October 1933 | 9 years, 81 days | 72 years, 118 days |
21 | William Irvine | 6 July 1858 | 12 June 1902 | 43 years, 341 days | 16 February 1904 | 45 years, 225 days | 20 August 1943 | 39 years, 185 days | 85 years, 45 days |
22 | Thomas Bent | 7 December 1838 | 16 February 1904 | 65 years, 71 days | 8 January 1909 | 70 years, 32 days | 17 September 1909 | 252 days | 70 years, 284 days |
23 | John Murray | 8 July 1851 | 8 January 1909 | 57 years, 184 days | 18 February 1912 | 60 years, 225 days | 4 May 1916 | 4 years, 76 days | 64 years, 301 days |
24 | William Watt | 23 November 1871 | 18 February 1912 | 40 years, 87 days | 18 June 1914 | 42 years, 207 days | 13 September 1946 | 32 years, 87 days | 74 years, 294 days |
25 | George Elmslie | 21 February 1861 | 9 December 1913 | 52 years, 291 days | 22 December 1913 | 52 years, 304 days | 11 May 1918 | 4 years, 140 days | 57 years, 79 days |
26 | John Bowser | 2 September 1856 | 29 November 1917 | 61 years, 88 days | 21 March 1918 | 61 years, 200 days | 10 June 1936 | 18 years, 81 days | 79 years, 282 days |
27 | Harry Lawson | 5 March 1875 | 21 March 1918 | 43 years, 16 days | 28 April 1924 | 49 years, 54 days | 12 June 1952 | 28 years, 45 days | 77 years, 99 days |
28 | George Prendergast | 20 May 1854 | 18 July 1924 | 70 years, 59 days | 18 November 1924 | 70 years, 182 days | 28 August 1937 | 12 years, 283 days | 83 years, 100 days |
29 | John Allan | 27 March 1866 | 18 November 1924 | 58 years, 236 days | 20 May 1927 | 61 years, 54 days | 22 February 1936 | 8 years, 278 days | 69 years, 332 days |
30 | Edmond Hogan | 12 December 1883 | 20 May 1927 | 43 years, 159 days | 19 May 1932 | 48 years, 159 days | 23 August 1964 | 32 years, 96 days | 80 years, 255 days |
31 | William Murray McPherson | 17 September 1865 | 22 November 1928 | 63 years, 66 days | 12 December 1929 | 64 years, 86 days | 26 July 1932 | 2 years, 227 days | 66 years, 313 days |
32 | Stanley Argyle | 4 December 1867 | 19 May 1932 | 64 years, 167 days | 2 April 1935 | 67 years, 119 days | 23 November 1940 | 5 years, 235 days | 72 years, 355 days |
33 | Albert Dunstan | 26 July 1882 | 2 April 1935 | 52 years, 250 days | 2 October 1945 | 63 years, 68 days | 14 April 1950 | 4 years, 194 days | 67 years, 262 days |
34 | John Cain Sr. | 19 January 1882 | 14 September 1943 | 61 years, 238 days | 7 June 1955 | 73 years, 139 days | 4 August 1957 | 2 years, 58 days | 75 years, 197 days |
35 | Ian Macfarlan | 21 November 1881 | 2 October 1945 | 63 years, 315 days | 21 November 1945 | 64 years, 0 days | 19 March 1964 | 18 years, 119 days | 82 years, 119 days |
36 | Thomas Hollway | 2 October 1906 | 20 November 1947 | 41 years, 49 days | 31 October 1952 | 46 years, 29 days | 30 July 1971 | 18 years, 272 days | 64 years, 301 days |
37 | John McDonald | 6 December 1898 | 27 June 1950 | 51 years, 203 days | 17 December 1952 | 54 years, 11 days | 23 April 1977 | 24 years, 127 days | 78 years, 138 days |
38 | Henry Bolte | 20 May 1908 | 7 June 1955 | 47 years, 18 days | 23 August 1972 | 64 years, 95 days | 4 January 1990 | 17 years, 134 days | 81 years, 229 days |
39 | Rupert Hamer | 29 July 1916 | 23 August 1972 | 56 years, 25 days | 5 June 1981 | 64 years, 311 days | 23 March 2004 | 22 years, 292 days | 87 years, 238 days |
40 | Lindsay Thompson | 15 October 1923 | 5 June 1981 | 57 years, 233 days | 8 April 1982 | 58 years, 175 days | 16 July 2008 | 26 years, 99 days | 84 years, 275 days |
41 | John Cain Jr. | 26 April 1931 | 8 April 1982 | 50 years, 347 days | 10 August 1990 | 59 years, 106 days | 23 December 2019 | 29 years, 135 days | 88 years, 241 days |
42 | Joan Kirner | 20 June 1938 | 10 August 1990 | 52 years, 51 days | 6 October 1992 | 54 years, 108 days | 1 June 2015 | 22 years, 238 days | 76 years, 346 days |
43 | Jeff Kennett | 2 March 1948 | 6 October 1992 | 44 years, 218 days | 20 October 1999 | 51 years, 232 days | 22 years, 195 days | 74 years, 62 days | |
44 | Steve Bracks | 15 October 1954 | 20 October 1999 | 45 years, 5 days | 30 July 2007 | 52 years, 288 days | 14 years, 277 days | 67 years, 200 days | |
45 | John Brumby | 21 April 1953 | 30 July 2007 | 54 years, 100 days | 2 December 2010 | 57 years, 225 days | 11 years, 152 days | 69 years, 12 days | |
46 | Ted Baillieu | 31 July 1953 | 2 December 2010 | 57 years, 124 days | 6 March 2013 | 59 years, 218 days | 9 years, 58 days | 68 years, 276 days | |
47 | Denis Napthine | 6 March 1952 | 6 March 2013 | 61 years, 0 days | 4 December 2014 | 62 years, 273 days | 7 years, 150 days | 70 years, 58 days | |
48 | Daniel Andrews | 6 July 1972 | 4 December 2014 | 42 years, 151 days | Incumbent | Incumbent | Incumbent | 49 years, 301 days |
Living former premiers
As of 3 May 2022, five former premiers are alive, the oldest being Jeff Kennett (1992–1999, born 1948). The most recent Premier to die was John Cain Jr. (1982–1990), on 23 December 2019.
Name | Term as premier | Date of birth |
---|---|---|
Jeff Kennett | 1992–1999 | 2 March 1948 |
Steve Bracks | 1999–2007 | 15 October 1954 |
John Brumby | 2007–2010 | 21 April 1953 |
Ted Baillieu | 2010–2013 | 31 July 1953 |
Denis Napthine | 2013–2014 | 6 March 1952 |
Oldest living premiers of Victoria
Not all premiers live to become the oldest of their time. Of the 42 deceased premiers, 23 eventually became the oldest of their time, while 19 did not. Charles Gavan Duffy became the oldest living premier when he was appointed in 1871 and remained so until his death in 1903 for a record 31 years and 235 days. George Turner became the oldest living premier when John Murray died in 1916, but he survived Murray by only 101 days.
On four occasions the oldest living premier lost this distinction not by his death, but due to the appointment of a premier who was older. John O'Shanassy lost this distinction when Charles Sladen was appointed. Sladen lost this distinction when Charles Gavan Duffy was appointed. William Irvine lost this distinction when John Bowser was appointed. Bowser lost this distinction when George Prendergast was appointed but when Prendergast died in 1937, Irvine regained it again until his own death in 1943 for a total period of 7 years and 100 days.
Graham Berry was the oldest to acquire this distinction at the age of 80 years and 165 days. Joan Kirner who was aged 76 years and 346 days when she died, on 1 June 2015 was the oldest and most recent premier to die without ever acquiring this distinction.
Premier | Period when oldest living premier | Age | Duration | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Start date | End date | at start | at end | ||
William Haines | 30 November 1855 | 3 February 1866 | 45 years, 324 days | 56 years, 24 days | 10 years, 65 days |
John O'Shanassy | 3 February 1866 | 6 May 1868 | 47 years, 350 days | 50 years, 78 days | 2 years, 93 days |
Charles Sladen | 6 May 1868 | 19 June 1871 | 51 years, 252 days | 54 years, 295 days | 3 years, 44 days |
Charles Gavan Duffy | 19 June 1871 | 9 February 1903 | 55 years, 68 days | 86 years, 303 days | 31 years, 235 days |
Graham Berry | 9 February 1903 | 25 January 1904 | 80 years, 165 days | 81 years, 150 days | 350 days |
Bryan O'Loghlen | 25 January 1904 | 31 October 1905 | 75 years, 212 days | 77 years, 126 days | 1 year, 279 days |
James Munro | 31 October 1905 | 25 February 1908 | 73 years, 297 days | 76 years, 49 days | 2 years, 117 days |
Thomas Bent | 25 February 1908 | 17 September 1909 | 69 years, 80 days | 70 years, 284 days | 1 year, 204 days |
Allan McLean | 17 September 1909 | 13 July 1911 | 69 years, 226 days | 71 years, 160 days | 1 year, 299 days |
John Murray | 13 July 1911 | 4 May 1916 | 60 years, 5 days | 64 years, 301 days | 4 years, 296 days |
George Turner | 4 May 1916 | 13 August 1916 | 64 years, 270 days | 65 years, 5 days | 101 days |
William Irvine | 13 August 1916 | 29 November 1917 | 58 years, 38 days | 59 years, 146 days | 1 year, 108 days |
John Bowser | 29 November 1917 | 18 July 1924 | 61 years, 88 days | 67 years, 320 days | 6 years, 232 days |
George Prendergast | 18 July 1924 | 28 August 1937 | 73 years, 10 days | 86 years, 51 days | 13 years, 41 days |
William Irvine | 28 August 1937 | 20 August 1943 | 79 years, 53 days | 85 years, 45 days | 5 years, 357 days |
William Watt | 20 August 1943 | 13 September 1946 | 71 years, 270 days | 74 years, 294 days | 3 years, 24 days |
Harry Lawson | 13 September 1946 | 12 June 1952 | 71 years, 192 days | 77 years, 99 days | 5 years, 273 days |
Ian Macfarlan | 12 June 1952 | 19 March 1964 | 70 years, 204 days | 82 years, 119 days | 11 years, 281 days |
Edmond Hogan | 19 March 1964 | 23 August 1964 | 80 years, 98 days | 80 years, 255 days | 157 days |
John McDonald | 23 August 1964 | 23 April 1977 | 65 years, 261 days | 78 years, 138 days | 12 years, 243 days |
Henry Bolte | 23 April 1977 | 4 January 1990 | 68 years, 338 days | 81 years, 229 days | 12 years, 256 days |
Rupert Hamer | 4 January 1990 | 23 March 2004 | 73 years, 159 days | 87 years, 238 days | 14 years, 79 days |
Lindsay Thompson | 23 March 2004 | 16 July 2008 | 80 years, 160 days | 84 years, 275 days | 4 years, 115 days |
John Cain Jr. | 16 July 2008 | 23 December 2019 | 77 years, 81 days | 88 years, 241 days | 11 years, 160 days |
Jeff Kennett | 23 December 2019 | Current oldest living premier | 71 years, 296 days | Current oldest living premier | 2 years, 131 days |
Premier | Start date | End date | Age at start | Age at end | Duration |
Timeline

See also
References
- Martin, Lisa (19 September 2019). "Daniel Andrews under fire after 'unfair' decision to increase his pay to $441,000 a year" – via www.theguardian.com.
- Sakkal, Paul. "New challenges, new risks for returning Andrews". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- "Hard hat? Check: Hi-vis? Check: Dan Andrews is back and combative as ever". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- Money, Lawrence. "Navigating through politics and beyond". The Age. Fairfax Media. Retrieved 4 July 2021.
- "Parliament of Victoria - Premier of Victoria". www.parliament.vic.gov.au.
- Updated daily according to UTC.
- Updated daily according to UTC.
External links
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