Premier Daniel Andrews spared from giving evidence to coronavirus inquiry
An inquiry into the way Premier Daniel Andrews has handled the coronavirus pandemic in Victoria will hear evidence from a number of experts and key government players, but the state’s head will be absent.
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Premier Daniel Andrews has been spared from giving evidence to a parliamentary committee about his handling of the coronavirus crisis.
Victorian Labor Party MPs on Monday rejected a motion to call the Premier before the parliament’s Accounts and Estimates Committee.
The committee hoped to also hear evidence from Health Minister Jenny Mikakos, Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton and his deputy Annaliese van Diemen.
Police and Emergency Services Minister Lisa Neville, Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp and Treasurer Tim Pallas were also to be called.
A vote to hold an inquiry on July 27 was defeated with a casting vote by committee chair Labor MP Lizzie Blandthorn.
The committee is made up of five Labor MPs, three Coalition MPs, a Green and a Liberal Democrat.
It is understood only Labor Party MPs voted against the motion.
Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien, who unsuccessfully called for a special meeting of the Legislative Assembly to meet on Tuesday, said the government had to be held to account over its handling of the coronavirus crisis.
“You’ve got a government that refuses to answer questions about its handling of hotel quarantine, you’ve got a government that now refuses to be accountable to the parliamentary committee that it set up,” he said.
“Why is Daniel Andrews so frightened of transparancey? What has he got to hide that he refuses to answer questions in a public forum?”
Mr Andrews would not be drawn on vote.
“I cannot provide you with any update as to the business of a Public Accounts and Estimates Committee today,” he said.
“I am neither a member of the Public Accounts and investments committee, nor have I been briefed or played any role in the deliberations of that parliamentary committee.
“I’ve had a fair bit to get on with today. That committee is a committee of the parliament and constituted by a vote of the parliament, and if you want to know what they’ve done, then you would need to speak with them, because I certainly haven’t. I’ve got lots of other things to do.”
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