Dan Andrews’ private office oversaw and amended dozens of media requests

The power wielded by Dan Andrews’ private office over the independent Department of Health has been revealed, with the centralisation of power slammed as “extreme and wrong”.

New documents reveal the power wielded by former Premier Daniel Andrews’ office over the independent Department of Health. Tuesday, September 26, 2023. Picture: David Crosling

Daniel Andrews’ private office oversaw and amended dozens of media requests that were originally sent to independent departments and agencies, new documents show.

More than 30 requests for information – including multiple questions sent by the Herald Sun – were sent to the former Premier’s office to inspect or approve in the last three months of his reign.

The documents detail the power wielded by Mr Andrews’ office over the independent Department of Health.

Among the inquiries that were amended by the private office – known as the PPO – was a Herald Sun exclusive story about a pause on testing for the Metro Tunnel project due to the disturbance of sensitive equipment at nearby medical facilities.

According to the documents, “a proposed response was provided to the PPO”.

Another Herald Sun story – also run through Mr Andrews’ private office for approval – was about the alleged underpayment of healthcare workers.

The dossier indicates that the proposed response was “with PPO”.

When the Herald Sun broke the news a review had been launched into more than five years of child deaths in emergency departments, the government told media it was up to Safer Care Victoria to decide whether or not to release it.

Among the inquiries amended by the private office was a Herald Sun exclusive story about a pause in testing on the Metro Tunnel project. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty

But the FOI documents show a media inquiry about the report was sent to the Premier’s office for approval.

Former health minister Jenny Mikakos told a corruption probe that the former Premier’s office had ultimate control over the work of government and interfered with ministerial discretion.

“The current Victorian government is a very centralised government where the PPO has its tentacles everywhere,” she told the investigation.

“There is constant tension between ministers’ offices and the (PPO).”

Opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier said the revelations came as no surprise.

“The centralisation of power was extreme and wrong,” she said.

“For years, Labor has manipulated health data and information for its own political benefit.

“Instead of overruling independent health services and keeping the community in the dark, the Allan Labor government should allow health providers to speak freely and fearlessly.”

Ms Crozier said critical health service performance data – released each quarter – is “regularly delayed and only released when it suits the government’s interests”.

A government spokeswoman said advisers work collaboratively across the Premier’s Private Office, ministerial offices and within the public sector.

“All ministerial staff are employed by the Premier,” she said.