Opposition refers Jeroen Weimar appointment to Ombudsman Deborah Glass

The appointment of Victoria’s former Commonwealth Games boss to a new government housing role has been referred to Ombudsman Deborah Glass.

Jeroen Weimar was given a new role to lead the government’s housing policy, a position worth up to $533,000 Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

The appointment of Victoria’s former Commonwealth Games boss to a plum new public sector role has been referred to an integrity watchdog.

Jeroen Weimar was given a new six-month role to lead the government’s housing policy in the Department of Premier and Cabinet, a position worth up to $533,000 a year.

Mr Weimar first 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.

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.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto has this week written to Ombudsman Deborah Glass requesting she probe how the appointment was made, and why no other candidates were considered for the role.

Jeroen Weimar first shot to public prominence when he was made the state’s Covid-19 response commander in 2020. Picture: Getty Images

Ms Glass recently released a report into the politicisation of the public service, which found the government often sidestepped merit-based recruitment processes.

“Mr Weimar’s recent appointment raises the very concerns that your report warned against in terms of the public’s perception of the politicisation of the public service,” Mr Pesutto writes.

It comes after Mr Pesutto questioned why Mr Weimar’s role was not publicly advertised.

“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?”

Mr Weimar is reportedly 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.