Questions raised over Victorian Premier’s promise of $1.3 billion for 4000 ICU beds in April 2020

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was caught on camera making a $1.3 billion promise. But 17 months later, there’s no sign he’s followed through.

Last April, the Andrews government made a welcome announcement, revealing Victoria would benefit from a “massive $1.3 billion injection to quickly establish an extra 4000 ICU beds”.

The cash was earmarked in response to the Covid pandemic, which was at that point tearing through the state, with 968 new cases confirmed on the same day the announcement was released.

But nearly 18 months later, there’s not only still no sign of those extra beds, and Mr Andrews has appeared to distance himself from the entire plan.

The April 1, 2020 press release announces the $1.3 billion ‘injection’. Picture: Supplied

But a video now circulating on social media may have caught him out.

The announcement

The cash injection was first announced in a press conference by former Health Minister Jenny Mikakos on April 1, 2020.

“We currently have about 450, about 500 intensive care beds in Victoria, and now we’re going to fund another 4000 intensive care beds, taking us to a total of 4500,” she said at the time.

That same day, Mr Andrews himself weighed in to spruik the plan.

“I don’t rule out Melbourne Convention Centre, I don’t rule out the Exhibition buildings, whatever it might be, a really big space … I’m not confirming that today, but I certainly don’t rule out building something that is a stand-alone conversion of a big space into what would be one of the biggest intensive care units in our country, perhaps anywhere in the world,” he said of the move.

The announcement was followed up in writing in a press release shared on April 1, with the release still available on the government’s website today.

“Victoria’s health system will receive a massive $1.3 billion injection to quickly establish an extra 4000 ICU beds as we respond to the coronavirus pandemic and protect Victorian lives,” the release reads.

“Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos announced the boost, which will secure the ICU equipment, staff and space we need to meet the expected surge in case load at the peak of the pandemic.

“At present, Victoria’s public and private health services have approximately 450 fully equipped and staffed ICU beds, but we know that won’t be nearly enough if the spread of the coronavirus continues.

“To be ready for the pandemic peak, we are ordering $1.2 billion worth of equipment and consumables we need, as well as investing over $65 million for capital works and workforce training – securing record capacity for our intensive care system.

Victoria’s former Minister for Health Jenny Mikakos and Premier Daniel Andrews made the announcement on April 1, 2020. Picture: James Ross/AAP

“The order will also see additional personal protective equipment (PPE) purchased, including 551 million gloves, 100 million masks and 14.5 million gowns.”

The release was accompanied by quotes from Mr Andrews and Ms Mikakos, who said: “This type of investment has never been made in Victoria before and shows the magnitude of what we are preparing to deal with. We are making the investments we need to support our hospitals and our healthcare workers to save lives and help us get to the other side of this crisis.”

“All Victorians have to play their part in helping to flatten the curve – everything we do now gives us vital time to prepare our health system for what is to come,” Mr Andrews added.

“We are preparing for the worst – but if Victorians stay at home and protect the health system, won’t need all of this extra capacity, and we’ll save lives.”

The backtrack

But earlier this month, on September 20, Mr Andrews was questioned by a reporter about former Health Minster Jenny Mikakos’ announcement.

And Mr Andrews claimed that wasn’t what was announced at all.

“Hang on a minute, that is not what she announced,” he said.

“The notion that we’re going to have 4000 beds down at a warehouse somewhere, turn the Exhibition buildings into an ICU unit and then have a nurse at the foot of each of those beds practising hospital corners – no, that’s not how it works.”

The unearthed footage of the April 1, 2020 announcement and the press release coupled with Mr Andrews’ denial earlier this month has raised eyebrows, with many Australians now demanding answers about where the beds – and cash – have gone.

According to Federal Government figures releases on September 23, 2021, Victoria now has an ICU capacity of 437 beds.

However, the State Government claims that can surge to around 4000 if needed.

News.com.au contacted the Premier’s office for comment, with the request referred on to the state’s Health Department but a response was not received before deadline.