Deputy Premier Ben Carroll has publicly rebuked his former boss, Daniel Andrews, for posing in a photograph alongside dictators and alleged war criminals, saying it wasn’t worth it to further his personal business interests.

It comes as Andrews publicly responded to his appearance for the first time, saying the event was a chance to meet with regional leaders, and defended his stance on geopolitical issues such as the war in Ukraine.

Carroll’s comments are the strongest public criticisms of Andrews by a cabinet colleague in the two years since the long-serving premier left office. They were prompted by images broadcast to the world of Andrews standing alongside some of the world’s most reviled political leaders at a Chinese military parade to celebrate 80 years since the end of World War

See Full Page