Guy, 48, has been one of the most prominent Coalition figures in Victorian politics for a decade. But, all of a sudden, media releases now use “Matt” instead of the more familiar “Matthew”.
The name tweak was decided after the appointment of Guy’s close friend, Nick McGowan, as chief of staff. It is not clear whether his name will be changed on social media platforms.
New state Liberal chief of staff Nick McGowan (left), seen here with Opposition Leader Matthew Guy in 2018.Credit:AAP
Guy brushed off questions about “Matt”, saying former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull called him Matt. “I don’t mind – you can call me whatever you like,” he said.
Andrews said of Guy’s refresh: “I don’t think about him. I think about patients and I think about nurses.”
Eight years and two days ago, three months out from the 2014 election, then-opposition leader Daniel Andrews rebadged himself as “Dan.”
Most of the premier’s associates call him Daniel and most of Guy’s call him Matthew (although some close family and friends use Matt).
As the premier noted on Sunday about his own rebadging, “I’ve been called Dan for a very long time.” Andrews made the switch when he was barely known by the public.
Guy is more well known, Matt or otherwise.
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But he is hoping a batch of policies, weariness with Andrews, a buckling health system and gloominess caused by dropping real wages combine to give him a fighting chance.
Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.