A former Victorian Premier has slammed Dan Andrews for his 'appalling' management of the state's lockdown which he says has led to the violent riots that have swept through the city.
Jeff Kennett spoke on Wednesday night after previously referring to the current premier and his government as a 'cancer' on Victoria.
Mr Kennett said the continual lockdowns were destroying the livelihoods of hard working Australians and slammed Mr Andrews' handling of the protests.
'The way they've managed it has been appalling,' he told A Current Affair.
'This doesn't only effect those in high-rise buildings, it effects tradies out on the street. Plumbers, electricians, small builders who are doing family homes.
'It's just been an across the board lockdown without any management.'
His comments come as Melbourne will wake up to a new world record of being the city with the most days locked down, having been under stay-at-home-orders for 235 days since the pandemic began - ahead of Buenos Aires, Dublin and London.
Mr Kennett said the continual lockdowns were destroying the livelihoods of hard working Australians and slammed Mr Andrews' handling of the protests (pictured on Wednesday)
Melbourne will wake up to a new world record of city with the most days locked down, having been under stay-at-home-orders for 235 days - ahead of Buenos Aires, Dublin and London (pictured, protesters with signs opposing the extended lockdown)
Mr Kennett, who was premier between 1992 and 1999, said the state has been 'going backwards for two years' under Mr Andrews.
'It's not the premier's fault we have the virus, it's certainly his and his government's fault for the way they've managed this crisis and led us to where we are today,' the former Hawthorn Football Club president said.
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The 73-year-old said the government should be looking for broader advice on how to handle the pandemic, rather than solely focusing on health impacts.
'You can't exist on medical advice alone. Talk to single parents who are home schooling month after month. Children with no experience of the discipline of going to school, the disadvantage to their education and social education,' he said.
'I understand we need medical advice but you've also got to take into consideration the impact on children and businesses and the economy as a whole.'
Mr Kennett, who has been publicly critical of Mr Andrews throughout his tenure as premier, called for an overhaul in the government's planning that could see future riots avoided.
The former premier also condemned some of the protesters, saying
