Andrews government may fight release of secret lockdown briefings

The Andrews government has been ordered to reveal the health advice that triggered lockdowns, but the records may continue to stay hidden.

The Andrews government is refusing to say whether it will again attempt to hide records of secret briefings used to justify lockdowns.

The Herald Sun revealed on Wednesday the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner had ordered the release of more than 100 pages documenting the Department of Health briefings.

With the department given 14 days to appeal, Premier Daniel Andrews, Health Minister Martin Foley, chief health officer Brett Sutton and the department all dodged the question when directly asked if the files should be made public.

The Premier, Professor Sutton and Mr Foley did not give explicit answers.

“Since the start of this pandemic, we’ve been open with Victorians about the health advice we’ve received,” Mr ­Andrews said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Professor Sutton added: “My team and I have always been honest with Victorians about the advice we give and have worked to keep them informed about why we’ve had to make certain decisions throughout this pandemic.”

Mr Foley said the government was “upfront about the health advice” through daily press conferences and the State of Emergency Report, tabled monthly in parliament.

David Davis, Leader of the Opposition in the upper house, who has been fighting for ­access to the documents, said it was time the government ­released them. “The government, true to form, is not being open and transparent,” Mr Davis said.

“Instead of blocking the release as they’ve done, they should step back from this ­secretive approach.

Victorian Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton.

“If they think by hiding and shillyshallying around that it will go away, they’re wrong. People have a right to know exactly why they’ve been in lockdown,” he said.

Senior minister Danny Pearson was the only government representative to front the media on Wednesday, and was forced to dodge questions about the ruling.

“OVIC have recently made this determination and the ­Department of Health is considering that request and will respond in due course,” Mr Pearson said in response to ­repeated questions.