Daniel Andrews protest forces mental health staff to work from home

Psychiatrists and support workers for some of Victoria’s most vulnerable young people have been told to work from home to avoid anti-Daniel Andrews protesters rallying against the former premier’s appointment as chair of a mental health board.

The staff advice, from research and clinical care institute Orygen, to avoid their Parkville site on Friday could force them to reschedule appointments or move them online, Health and Community Services Union state secretary Paul Healey told The Age.

Former premier Daniel Andrews and a poster promoting Friday’s rally. Credit: Marija Ercegovac

Healey and two other sources, who spoke to The Age on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed the work-from-home advice.

The reason cited by bosses was a midday rally outside the institute’s headquarters in Melbourne’s inner north. A group called Leave Our Kidz Alone has promoted Friday’s protest as a peaceful gathering urging people to “stand up” and remove Andrews as chair of Orygen after his appointment last week.

“Orygen and the ex-premier are gaslighting the most vulnerable people in our state,” the group’s online flyer reads. “It’s unbelievable. Make a stand with us to reverse this.”

While only a small group of protesters was expected at the Parkville rally, the work-from-home measure had been put in place as a safety precaution, one Orygen source said. The requests to work from home were made in person and over the phone, according to a second source.

Healey said moving appointments online was not always preferable for patients seriously struggling.

“A protest that disrupts a mental health service is pretty poor,” he said.

He did not expect patients recovering at the centre to be discharged or for there to be a major safety risk as a result of the rally.

An Orygen spokesperson said on Thursday the organisation was disappointed by the disruption.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have put in place additional measures to protect the safety and wellbeing of the young people and families we care for, as well as our staff,” the spokesperson said.

“The small group planning the disruption is well known for regularly protesting against diversity and inclusion, which is in opposition to our values.

“We would encourage anyone planning to participate to consider the impact on the young people who rely on our services for mental health support.”

A spokesperson for the protest group said aggressive behaviour would not be tolerated at Friday’s rally.

“We acknowledge there are many frontline workers dealing with youth mental health that are doing a great job and do not wish to interfere with them in any way,” the spokesperson said.

“The message here is to the board. The decision to appoint Daniel Andrews to the board is an absolute disgrace and a slap in the face to Victorians.”

The spokesperson said they would not be surprised if a few hundred people attended the rally.

Andrews was announced as the incoming chair of Orygen last Friday. His appointment, made by the institute’s board, is for a fixed three-year term.

The news drew the ire of former Liberal premier and Beyond Blue founder Jeff Kennett, who called the move “absurd”, as well as opposition mental health spokeswoman Emma Kealy, who labelled it “disgraceful”.

Key to critics’ complaints was that Andrews, who established the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System, also oversaw some of the world’s longest and strictest coronavirus lockdowns during his time in office.

Orygen executive director Professor Patrick McGorry last week defended the appointment, pointing out that it was common for former politicians to lead mental health agencies.

Healey backed Andrews’ recent appointment because he had a strong working knowledge of the mental health system. “He won’t just warm a seat,” he said.

The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.