Ex-minister questions call as backlash grows over Daniel Andrews’ King’s Birthday honour

One of Daniel Andrews’ own former ministers says families of loved ones who died of Covid are justified to feel angry about the former Premier receiving the nation’s highest honour – while poll results have delivered a clear message.

A former Labor minister has sided with families of Covid victims who feel outraged that Daniel Andrews was given the nation’s highest King’s Birthday honour – as polling shows 95 per cent of Herald Sun readers don’t think he deserves it.

Amid a backlash on Monday, the panel tasked with choosing recipients was also forced to clarify that one of its members – who worked under Mr Andrews – was not in the room when the controversial former premier was chosen.

It comes as a poll of Herald Sun readers found 95 per cent of respondents did not believe Mr ­Andrews, who presided over deadly Covid errors, deserved the honour.

Only four in 10 people who voted in a similar poll on The Age website thought the award was justified.

One of Mr Andrews’ own former ministers on Monday told the Herald Sun that families of loved ones who died during the state’s deadly second wave were justified to feel angry about the award.

There has been widespread outrage over Daniel Andrews being given the nation’s highest King’s Birthday honour. Picture: Jason Edwards

Speaking on the condition of anonymity, the former minister, who is no longer in parliament, said: “I’m not sure that the 768 people that died from Dan’s failed hotel quarantine, or their family and friends, would think that his award was deserved.”

The office of Australia’s Governor-General David Hurley refused to reveal who nominated Mr Andrews, saying the Council for the Order of Australia – an “independent” body of 19 people – gave the final recommendation on who the awards should go to.

The council’s Victorian representative is Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Jeremi Moule, who was ­appointed to his $700,000-plus role by Mr Andrews.

Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Jeremi Moule. Picture: Chris Eastman

Asked about a potential conflict of interest on Monday, the Governor-General’s office clarified that Mr Moule was “not in the room when the nomination was discussed”.

A Department of Premier and Cabinet spokeswoman said Mr Moule’s absence was due to a scheduling issue.

Former premier Jeff Kennett – who himself received the Order of Companion of Australia (AC) – called for Mr ­Andrews’ honour to be ­reviewed, claiming it “reeks of political interference”.

“To my knowledge not only has Mr Andrews not done any eminent community service, but he has also abjectly failed any objective test on the matters for which he received the recognition,” he said.

Mr Andrews, the longest-serving Victorian Labor premier, was recognised for his “eminent service to the people and parliament of Victoria, to public health, to policy and regulatory ­reform, and to infrastructure development”.

But families of pandemic victims slammed the award, given that 768 people died due to the Andrews government’s botched hotel quarantine program and bungled contact tracing.

Playgrounds were closed during Victoria’s lockdowns. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Sebastian Agnello, whose mum Carmela died of Covid during the Epping Gardens Aged Care outbreak, said the award made a mockery of the honours.

“Daniel Andrews was the Premier in charge and (there) has been no accountability for anything he has done,” he said.

“You are responsible for the actions you’ve taken. He was the Premier, he was in charge and he made the decisions, but where’s the accountability? I feel let down and disappointed. There’s no accountability.”

Frank Micallef lost both his parents, Charlie and Carmen, within 31 hours during the deadly second wave.

Sebastian Agnello holding picture of mum Carmela Agnello. Picture: David Caird

He said news of the award made him “sick to my stomach”.

“If you want to reduce the credibility of an award like that, give one to him,” he said.

“Even many of his most ardent followers can see or are starting to question the legacy that he left. There’s no credibility to the awards if someone like him gets it. None whatsoever.”

Mr Micallef said he was appalled at the way the pandemic was handled by the state government – particularly the bungled rollout of hotel quarantine – and condemned the “lack of honesty” in the months and years after.

“The consequence of it all was that not only did more people die than necessary, but they died alone, they died without seeing their loved ones,” he said.

It comes as some industry heads, all speaking anonymously out of fear of retribution, also questioned the decision to recognise Mr ­Andrews with such an honour, especially so quickly after his time in power.

“It’s shocking,” one industry figure remarked.

Premier Jacinta Allan said: “Daniel Andrews made an enormous contribution to public life and shaping the state of Victoria.

“He was the longest-serving Labor premier in the state’s history and fourth-longest serving premier. Dan led through some of the most difficult and challenging times.”

Prime Minister Anthony ­Albanese said: “Both Daniel Andrews and (ex-West Australian premier) Mark McGowan were very successful.”

Asked if he understood why the families of Covid victims were angry about the decision to honour Mr Andrews, Mr ­Albanese said: “I respect everyone’s right to have a view.

“Politicians are never on 100 per cent support, nor are former politicians.”

Senior Victorian minister Natalie Hutchins said Mr ­Andrews’ award was “well ­deserved” but acknowledged the fierce public backlash.

“People that did vote for him, want him to get it,” she said.

“Those that didn’t, didn’t want him to get it. That’s just the nature of what happens when politicians get these sorts of awards.”