DHHS secretary Kym Peake resigns to ‘pursue other opportunities’

Kym Peake has resigned from her position following claims she “failed in her duties”.

Former Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kym Peake. Picture: Supplied

The state government’s handling of Victoria’s bungled hotel quarantine program has claimed another scalp, with pressure likely to mount on other key players.

Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kym Peake has resigned following claims she “failed in her duties”.

The resignation came less than two months after she testified at the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry and followed the resignations of health minister Jenny Mikakos and public service chief Chris Eccles.

Ms Mikakos, who Daniel Andrews has blamed for the failed quarantine program, was scathing of DHHS for failing to keep her adequately briefed.

Ms Peake had been accused of failing to pass on critical information to the Minister about the program.

Ms Peake.

She came under further scrutiny after DHHS was accused of wilfully withholding information key to the Hotel Quarantine Inquiry.

She told the inquiry multiple departments shared responsibility for the program.

But her evidence was contradicted by other evidence.

The failed program has been blamed for Victoria’s deadly second wave.

On Friday, the Premier said he would not comment on former DHHS secretary Ms Peake’s decision to leave her job.

Mr Andrews said that as Ms Peake decided to step away from the role as her contract had come in to an end was different to the resignation of other health department officials in recent months.

He said that had Ms Peake wanted to continue as DHHS secretary, the government would have “looked at” renewing her contract.

“Her five year contract fell due this week and she’s made a decision that she’s going to do other things,” Mr Andrews said.

“I wish her well and thank her for what she’s done over a very long public service.

“Whether (leaving her role) was the right decision or otherwise, that’s really a matter for her.

He continued: “If someone resigns with a cause, that’s very different to someone saying I’ve done five years and now I want to go do something else.“

Inquiry chair Jennifer Coate, who is due to hand down her final report next month, has been urged to consider whether Ms Peake, and other secretaries, discharged her responsibilities properly.

Opposition leader Michael O’Brien said the resignation should increase pressure on the Premier.

“Kym Peake is the latest head to roll in Daniel Andrews’ desperate attempt to avoid responsibility for the hotel quarantine scandal,” he said.

“The Heath Minister resigned in disgust and now two departmental secretaries have gone.

“But the blame for hotel quarantine and the second wave it caused lies with the Premier. No amount of sacrificial lambs will let Daniel Andrews avoid responsibility for the damage done to this state”.

Ms Peake, who had served in the role for the last five years, will be replaced by her deputy Professor Euan Wallace.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: Getty

A government statement said Ms Peake had decided to step down from the position to pursue other opportunities.

“Ms Peake has led significant reform that has touched the lives of many Victorians including the relief and recovery from recent bushfires, the establishment of the Mental Health Royal Commission, and the delivery of many of the recommendations from the Family Violence Royal Commission,” it said.

“We thank Ms Peake for her dedicated service to Victoria and for her tireless commitment throughout the pandemic and her time with DHHS. We wish her well for the future.”

Prof Wallace will start in the role on Tuesday.

An academic obstetrician and gynaecologist by training, Prof Wallace was jointly responsible for case management, contact tracing and outbreak management while DHHS deputy secretary.

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Originally published as DHHS secretary Kym Peake resigns to ‘pursue other opportunities’