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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
National
Katharine Murphy

Our leaders are burning out while polarisation splits the nation and erodes trust in politics

Daniel Andrews Anthony Albanese Malcolm Turnbull Tony Abbott Mark McGowan Michael Gunner Peter Dutton Peter Gutwein Scott Morrison
Mark McGowan, Peter Gutwein, Daniel Andrews and Michael Gunner
The boiling cauldron of politics has taken its toll on Australia’s premiers (L-R) Mark McGowan, Peter Gutwein, Daniel Andrews and Michael Gunner. Composite: AAP/Getty

When Daniel Andrews popped up on one of the televisions in my Canberra office at one point during the past couple of weeks, a stray observation crossed my mind. His words were all unremarkable, but the Victorian premier had no game face left. He couldn’t hide his weariness with the rituals of the job.

I thought: that bloke’s done.

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