Former Vic Commonwealth Games chief and Covid commander Jeroen Weimar given plum role

Premier Jacinta Allan has defended the appointment of Jeroen Weimar to a cushy new government role, as concerns mount over his previous performances in some of the state’s top jobs.

Matt Johnston and Mitch Clarke

4 min read

February 12, 2024 - 1:03PM

Victoria

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Premier Jacinta Allan has defended the controversial appointment of Jeroen Weimar to a plum new government role, insisting the hiring process was above board.

As revealed by the Herald Sun, Mr Weimar – who shot to public prominence when he was made the state’s Covid-19 response commander in 2020 before then leading the bungled 2026 Commonwealth Games – will now head the government’s Housing Statement implementation group in the Department of Premier and Cabinet.

The Housing Statement is the government’s most significant policy released this term and includes plans for 800,000 new homes to be built over a decade by streamlining planning and encouraging density in suburbs with good existing services.

The move has been slammed by the state opposition who said it was curious that Mr Weimar’s role was not publicly advertised.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto questioned: “How is he going to deliver 80,000 new homes a year for the next 10 years when his record in public transport, Covid-19 and the Commonwealth Games is so poor?”

Jeroen Weimar in his previous capacity as Victoria’s Covid Commander. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Ms Allan on Monday said she backed the decision to hire Mr Weimar, describing him as an “outstanding public servant”.

“He was absolutely appointed appropriately,” she said.

“I think it speaks volumes that the Liberal Party wants to play the man on this issue.

“This is what the Liberal Party wants to attack. They want to attack the public servants who are dedicated to serving the community of Victoria in whatever role they are serving in. Jeroen is an outstanding individual and I think it speaks volumes, just volumes, that the Liberal Party just wants to attack the man.

“This is a public servant who has served this state for more than nine years, and I note, someone who was recruited to Victoria to work as a senior executive in Public Transport Victoria by the former Liberal government.”

The call to hire Mr Weimar was made by Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Jeremi Moule. The appointment was not put to cabinet.

In a letter to DPC staff, leaked to the Sunday Herald Sun, secretary Jeremi Moule said the six-month position was established for Mr Weimar after discussions with “key colleagues”.

Premier Jacinta Allan has defended the appointment of Jeroen Weimar to a plum new government role. Picture: David Caird

“Having considered the necessary skills, experience, seniority and availability for the short term role, I am pleased to announce that Jeroen Weimar has agreed to take on the function,” Mr Moule wrote to colleagues.

“Jeroen is known to many people in DPC and across government and brings extensive experience in leading and delivering a range of complex projects.”

The Sunday Herald Sun asked the Allan government how much Mr Weimar would be paid but did not get an answer; but was pointed to deputy secretary salary bands that can vary between $401,018 and $533,431.

This means an effective pay cut for the trusted bureaucrat, whose 2026 Games chief role commanded a salary of up to $620,000 a year.

Some public servants were surprised by the housing announcement; one questioned Mr Weimar’s experience in the sector and why no formal process advertised the role.

“It was the same for the Commonwealth Games role,” they said.

But a DPC spokesperson said the appointment “reinforces the Victorian government’s commitment to boost housing supply and affordability in Victoria”.

“As an experienced senior executive leading complex projects, Mr Weimar will work across government to build on the important work already underway.”

Jeroen Weimar talks up the regional Commonwealth Games. Picture: Alan Barber

Mr Weimar is viewed as a good communicator with a cool head by senior members of the government, including Premier Jacinta Allan.

He was brought in to lead the Covid-19 response in August, 2020, as the government grappled with testing and contact tracing problems and following the hotel quarantine disaster.

Ms Allan worked with Mr Weimar when he led Public Transport Victoria, as well as when she was Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery.

Mr Weimar’s LinkedIn profile notes he set up the Games organising committee and built the “implementation plan and robust budget for the delivery of the 2026 Commonwealth Games”.

It says he later ensured the “swift and efficient close down of the organisation” when the government tore up its own contract with the Commonwealth Games Federation.

The decision, which former premier Daniel Andrews blamed on budget blowouts of up to $4bn, sparked an international furore last year and wasted up to $600m of taxpayer money.

The Saturday Herald Sun revealed that a scathing Auditor-General report into the debacle is set to be released soon and will take aim at poor planning and advice provided to the government.

Shadow minister for housing affordability Evan Mulholland said: “It says a lot about the judgment of Jacinta Allan that shehas turned to the bureaucrat who oversaw the world’s longest lockdowns and the $600 million Commonwealth Games debacle.

“His appointment to a $533,000 role is another example of giving a plum job for a Labor favourite.”