Church v state: Daniel Andrews’ candid comments after George Pell’s death reflect a long-held stance

Daniel Andrews appears to have been the victor in his tussles with the church, establishing himself as the nation’s most progressive leader. Photograph: Diego Fedele/AAP

Responding to the death of George Pell – a staunch conservative found guilty and then acquitted of child sexual abuse – is inevitably a political minefield. But Daniel Andrews and the Victorian government chose to go where others didn’t.

Mere minutes after the Vatican confirmed the cardinal’s death at the age of 81, the government minister Steve Dimopoulos acknowledged the news could be triggering for survivors of child sexual abuse.