Daniel Andrews Slams Viral Campaign After Boots Were Hung Outside His Late Dad's Shed

A viral campaign started last week that was meant to show opposition to the way Daniel Andrews was handling the coronavirus pandemic as Premier of Victoria.

We've seen loads of hashtag social media movements related to politicians over the years and they usually involve putting someone outside your home in solidarity.

However, people were encouraged to chuck boots outside their property for the #GiveDanTheBoot.

Mr Andrews didn't actually mind that people were voicing their opinion on his leadership, however the campaign took a dark turn over the weekend.

As Instagram and Facebook was filled with photos of boots in different places, one person travelled to the shed belonging to the Premier's late father and chucked some shoes at the entrance.

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That was too far, according to the Premier.

At a press conference on Tuesday (September 15), Daniel Andrews said: "Having different views to me, that's fine... it's a healthy part of our democratic society.But decency matters too.

"The last time I was in that shed, was when I carried my father's coffin out of it... I won't use the words that my father would use to describe that sort of act.

"That's just... low. And it has no place... no, no place.

"Have a different view to me but leave my family out of it - particularly the dead members of my family. I don't think that's too much to ask.

"We're at our worst and our weakest when this nastiness, this divisiveness, comes into the challenges that we face."

Mr Andrews said the person responsible for the stunt at the Old Kentucky Farm in Londrigan in Victoria's far-northeastshould be ashamed of themselves.

Bob Andrews died in 2016 after a long battle with cancer.

The #GiveDanTheBoot campaign managed to rack up thousands of supporters on social media before it was meant to go ahead on Sunday (September 13).

But there was also physical protests that happened at the weekend and police were forced to fine anyone who gathered unnecessarily.

More than 250 people were found at the Queen Victoria Market on Sunday.

Police revealed that 74 people were caught and authorities issued at least 176 infringement notices for breaching Chief Health Officer directions.

Topics: News, Australia

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie