Daniel Andrews apologises, Victoria Police fine Premier over maskless video

The Victorian Premier has been pinged by police after an investigation found he broke the state’s health rules.

Daniel Andrews has breached Covid-19 directions and been slapped with two fines after a video surfaced showing the Victorian Premier in public without a mask.

Victoria Police said they were investigating the footage, which showed Mr Andrews walking towards a group of reporters without a face covering prior to a press conference behind Parliament House.

Police confirmed on Friday afternoon that the Premier was issued two $200 infringement notices for breaching chief health officer directions over the incidents that occurred on Wednesday and Thursday.

“Victoria Police can confirm it has issued two infringement notices to Premier Daniel Andrews for breaching chief health officer directions,” Victoria Police said in a statement.

“Premier Andrews received two fines today (October 8) for not wearing a mask, each to the value of $200.”

Victorian Police confirmed the Premier was slapped with two $200 fines for breaching Covid-19 directions on Wednesday and Thursday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Wayne Taylor

Mr Andrews apologised on Friday afternoon, calling it an “oversight”.

“I am aware that as I approached two press conferences at the back of Parliament House this week I removed my mask after leaving the car, before I walked to the back doors,” he said in a statement.

“I expect Victoria Police to assess this and if they choose to issue a fine, of course I will pay it.

“If they do not issue a fine I will donate the same value to a charity working to support people in this pandemic because while this was an oversight, oversights matter.

“Everyone needs to follow the rules and I am sorry it occurred.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has apologised after a video showed him without a face mask in public. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

In an earlier statement, Victoria Police said investigators were reviewing the incident after video of it circulated on social media.

At Friday’s Covid-19 press conference — with Mr Andrews absent — Treasurer Tim Pallas defended the Premier.

“The premier has been pretty diligent in terms of his behaviour,” Mr Pallas told reporters.

“I have had a brief look at the footage and it looks like he is approaching a camera for the purpose of doing a piece-to-camera: You are allowed to not wear a mask for that.”

Victorians who flout mask rules faced a $200 fine under the chief health officer’s directions. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Geraghty