Labor race to fill Mikakos’ parliament seat, while MPs left ‘disgusted’ by her resignation
Daniel Andrews’ cold treatment of Jenny Mikakos - who quit as health minister on the weekend in the wake of the Premier’s statements to the hotel quarantine inquiry - has shaken the Labor Party, with one MP saying “he doesn’t care about anyone but himself”.
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Labor MPs have been left “unsettled” by the sudden departure and treatment of Victoria’s former Health Minister Jenny Mikakos, with some “disgusted” by her cold treatment at the hands of Daniel Andrews.
Government MPs have told the Herald Sun they were left shell shocked by Ms Mikakos’ resignation with some lashing out at the Premier for not standing by his loyal minister.
“It has put a lot of people on edge,” one government Minister said.
Another Labor MP hit out at Mr Andrews saying “he is a tyrant. He is a dictator with a capital D.I.C.K.
“He doesn’t care about anybody but himself … Jenny knows he lied and I don’t like the way she was treated.”
A second minister said “the general vibe is sadness but acceptance” but as the head of the Department of Health and Human Services Ms Mikakos had to be held accountable for the failures in infection control and defended Mr Andrews’ staying in the top job saying “he is not going anywhere, he will contest the election”.
It comes after Ms Mikakos resigned from the Victorian parliament after more than 20 years of service on Friday, but took a parting shot at Mr Andrews.
“I have never wanted to leave a job unfinished but in the light of the Premier’s statement to the board of inquiry and the fact that there are elements in that I strongly disagree with, I believe I cannot continue to serve in his cabinet,” she had said in a statement on Twitter.
When quizzed over her departure on Sunday Mr Andrews admitted he had a missed call from Ms Mikakos’ before she resigned by text on Friday evening, however he had not returned it or made any attempt to contact her.
“I haven’t spoken to her,” he said.
“I wish her well … and acknowledge her hard work, her passion and commitment.
“I have spoken with many colleagues over the past 48 hours … no one’s happy to see who is incredibly hard working member of the team go, but if you make a decision that you can’t serve in the cabinet then you can’t serve in the cabinet.”
Ms Mikakos left her Thornbury home on Sunday armed with her government pass but declined to comment further on the resignation.
When asked if she felt as though she had been thrown under the bus by Mr Andrews Ms Mikakos responded: “I made a statement yesterday, I have nothing else to say.”
It comes as senior figures within Labor are moving to stop a key member of Mr Andrews’ faction from taking Jenny Mikakos’ spot in the Victorian parliament, citing party requirements for female representation.
Its understood Socialist Left convener Mat Hilakari has put his hand up to take the vacated role in the Upper House, with a final decision to be made by the party’s national executive.
But forces within Labor have agitated to cut off Mr Hilakari early by declaring party rules require the position be filled by a woman.
Victorian Labor has committed to having 50 per cent female representation in the caucus by 2025.
Organisers will make the argument that the party only has one election to reach their goal before they break their own rules.
They will also claim women make up the majority of Legislative Council seats that are second and third on the voting ticket, making them the most marginal.
But others within Labor are expected to counter that these rules only apply to each individual house of parliament, rather than the combined total, and that the appointment of a man now will not jeopardise this target.
Emily’s List, a group within Labor that supports female candidates at the start of their careers, on Sunday wrote on Twitter calling for a woman to named as a replacement.
“The upper house vacancy should be filled by a woman. Caucus is at 48 per cent, it would drop to 46.6 per cent, that is not equal. Last LC vacancy was filled by a man,” they wrote.
The push is set to provoke further infighting not only within Labor, but within the Premier’s Socialist Left faction.
When asked if he would like to see another woman replace her in parliament Mr Andrews said it was a decision for the Labor Party.
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