Mental health staff told to work from home amid planned Dan Andrews’ protest

Former Premier Dan Andrews will get $75,000 a year — on top of his generous, taxpayer-funded parliamentary pension — for his new role as chairman of a peak youth mental health service.

Daniel Andrews will get $75,000 a year for his new role as chairman of a youth mental health service but has refused to say if he will donate the amount to charity – even though he already pockets a generous taxpayer-funded parliamentary pension.

Orygen’s decision to unveil the former Premier as the chairman last week has been met with fierce backlash, with mental health advocates labelling it a “slap in the face” due to his harsh Covid lockdowns.

The Herald Sun can reveal Mr Andrews is set to earn $225,000 over his three-year term at Orygen, in addition to his pension, which costs Victorians more than $300,000 year.

An Orygen spokesman said Mr Andrews would be paid the same salary as previous chair Sir Edward Byrne, who left the role earlier this year.

Former Premier Dan Andrews. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

As Orygen chair, Mr Andrews will only have to attend six scheduled board meetings over 12 months. But a spokesman said he would also have to attend other non-board meetings and Orygen events.

“The role of the chair encompasses a wide range of leadership responsibilities that sit outside of these meetings and events which are important in ensuring that the Orygen board fulfils its duties to effectively operate a leading medical research institute and youth mental health service,” the spokesman said.

When asked if Mr Andrews’ intended to donate his salary to charity, the spokesman only said: “Mr Andrews and his family support many charitable causes and will continue to do so.”

It comes as psychiatrists and staff at Orygen have been told to work at home on Friday to avoid an anti-Dan protests scheduled outside the not-for-profit’s Parkville site.

An online group, called Let Them Be Kidz, says it will hold a “peaceful protest” calling for the former premier to be removed from the role.

“Orygen and the ex-premier are gaslighting the most vulnerable people in our state,” the group’s flyer reads.

“It’s unbelievable, make a stand with us to reverse this.”

An Orygen spokesman said they were “disappointed” to learn of the plans to disrupt important work in support of youth mental health care and research.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have put in place additional measures to protect the safety and wellbeing of the young people and families we care for, as well as our staff,” they said.

“The small group planning the disruption is well known for regularly protesting against diversity and inclusion, which is in opposition to our values.

“We would encourage anyone planning to participate to consider the impact on the young people who rely on our services for mental health ­support.”

Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Staff at the Orygen centre in Parkville have been warned against coming to work on Friday in light of an anti-Dan Andrews protest scheduled to be held outside.

It is understood those working at the centre have been encouraged to work from home to avoid the protesters.

A poster promoting the rally against Dan Andrews' new role at the youth mental health organisation.

The protest group, which stands against the “sexualised indoctrination” of children are highly critical of the Victorian Education Department and various politicians.

In their online flyer the group has called for the former Premier to be removed from his new position.

Originally published as Mental health staff told to work from home amid planned Dan Andrews’ protest