WorkSafe probe into bullying allegations against Daniel Andrews’ office dropped

Former Labor MP Kaushaliya Vaghela is appalled by the failure of WorkSafe to properly probe allegations of bullying inside Dan Andrews’ office.

Former Labor MP Kaushaliya Vaghela has slammed WorkSafe after it dropped an investigation into claims of bullying inside Daniel Andrews’ office.

The investigation into allegations was launched in February after Ms Vaghela claimed she was bullied by a former adviser to the Premier.

Ms Vaghela claimed she was the target of widespread harassment from within the ALP since becoming an MP in 2018.

The investigation was prompted by a referral to WorkSafe by the state opposition.

But in a statement issued on Thursday Worksafe said it would not pursue the matter.

In a strongly worded statement Ms Vaghela said she was appalled by the failure to properly investigate.

“I am disgusted with the conduct of this investigation by WorkSafe Victoria,” she said.

Ex-Labor MP Kaushaliya Vaghela claimed she was bullied by a former adviser to the Premier. Picture: David Caird

“I only had one preliminary telephone discussion with WorkSafe Victoria soon after my complaint.

“They informed me they would contact me for a meeting which I thought would be my chance to put my case to them.

“Just as I was expecting the next step in the investigation to be a meeting with WorkSafe, I was informed, at the same time as the public, about WorksSafe Victoria’s decision.

“WorkSafe Victoria is stacked with Mr Daniel Andrews’ mates and has again demonstrated why Victorians have lost trust in this very important institute.”

As part of her complaint Ms Vaghela accused Vinyak Kolape and other members of the Premier’s Socialist Left faction, who were not employed by the government or ALP, of a campaign of intimidation and harassment.

She said it started after she defected to the party’s Right faction.

“They wanted to break me mentally, physically, and psychologically,” she said.

“They thought if they did this I would get tired and walk away, they wanted me to walk away. I was determined not to.”

She said repeated complaints to the Premier’s office were ignored.

Ms Vaghela also levelled a series of explosive allegations at Mr Andrews, claiming she felt personally let down by the Premier and his office.

“He has a problem with women, but he also has a problem with anyone who doesn’t hold the same views as him or doesn’t do what he wants,” she said.

A WorkSafe investigation into claims of bullying inside Daniel Andrews’ office has been dropped. Picture: Brendan Beckett

WorkSafe Victoria said it had considered a number of individuals and entities including the Premier of Victoria, some staff employed in the Premier’s private office, the Department of Premier and Cabinet and members of the public.

“WorkSafe used coercive powers to obtain information relevant to the investigation, which was then thoroughly reviewed to determine whether any duties under the OHS Act had been breached,” it said in a statement.

“Decisions on whether to commence a prosecution are made and authorised by WorkSafe’s Executive Director of Health and Safety under delegated powers, and informed by legal advice.

“On the basis of the evidence, and taking into account WorkSafe’s General Prosecution Guidelines, WorkSafe will not take further action on this matter at this time.”

Ms Vaghela left the ALP after sensationally crossing the floor to vote to have the Andrews government’s red shirts election rorts re-investigated last year.