Daniel Andrews speaks out over release of triple-0 audio after cyclist collision

Former premier Daniel Andrews says the audio of a triple-zero call he made following a 2013 car accident that left a teenage cyclist seriously injured shows he and his wife did “nothing wrong”.

The audio, which was released publicly on Friday, captures the moments after the collision on the Mornington Peninsula, in which the then-opposition leader alerts emergency services to the accident.

Former premier Dan Andrews and wife Catherine.Credit: Eddie Jim

“The recording confirms the previous statements we’ve made on this matter,” Andrews and wife Catherine said in a statement on Saturday.

“The cyclist came flying through from the bike path at Ridley Street and T-boned our car at speed.

“This matter has been comprehensively investigated over many years by Victoria Police Professional Standards Command and IBAC [Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission].”

Andrews called triple zero after cyclist Ryan Meuleman, 15, collided with the taxpayer-funded 4WD being driven by Catherine.

“We’ve turned right … and he’s come flying through on the bike path and we’ve hit him,” Andrews can be heard saying to the operator in the audio obtained by A Current Affair.

“He’s a teenager, I’d say he’d be 15 … He’s conscious, but he’s in a lot of pain.”

Meuleman suffered serious injuries and was later airlifted to the Royal Children’s Hospital where he underwent surgery.

The two police officers on the scene were investigated by police Professional Standards Command for failing to adhere to police protocol, for failing to breathalyse the driver.

“Both members were administered Workplace Guidance and the matter has been finalised,” a Victoria Police spokesperson said in 2017.

In 2022, Meuleman secured $80,000 compensation from the Transport Accident Commission following the accident.

Earlier this year, he announced he would be suing his former law firm, Slater & Gordon, alleging that they did not conduct a proper investigation of the January 7 crash. The proceedings are due to be heard in the Supreme Court.

In their Saturday statement, the Andrews’ denied any wrongdoing in relation to the incident.

“The cyclist’s current legal proceedings have nothing to do with us. We are not a party to them,” they said.

“While we are sorry that the cyclist was injured in the accident, we did nothing wrong.”

The recording first came to light in the Legislative Council on Thursday, when Libertarian MP David Limbrick indicated that he’d heard a recording of the triple-zero call.

Meuleman’s father, Peter, later spoke on the steps of Parliament House to coincide with Limbrick’s statement in the chamber. He said that the audio should be made public.

“It helps our case, and it shows that the case should be reopened,” he said.

Investigations by Victoria Police cleared Daniel and Catherine Andrews over the accident. Police handling of the event was cleared by the state integrity watchdog.

Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.