Coronavirus: Victoria police probe ‘road map to recovery’ leak to Herald Sun

A public servant is under investigation for allegedly leaking the Andrew government’s recovery plan to the Herald Sun.

The Andrews government’s road to recovery was obtained by the Herald Sun. Picture: Tim Carrafa

A Victorian public servant is under police investigation for the alleged leaking of documents revealing the Andrew government’s road map to recovery to the Herald Sun.

Victoria Police confirmed on Thursday that the Department of Health and Human Services employee was under investigation by its E-Crime Squad after a referral by DHHS.

“Victoria Police can confirm it has received a referral from a government department in relation to unauthorised access of information,” a spokeswoman said.

The Herald Sun published the leaked documents outlining the state government’s much-anticipated road map to recovery on September 3, days ahead of a scheduled announcement by Premier Daniel Andrews.

At a media conference on the same day, Mr Andrews said the documents were out of date and had no status, but on Thursday he inferred they had cabinet-in-confidence status.

“Cabinet-in-confidence documents are under law very important documents that need to be appropriately protected, not just now but every day of every year, and that’s been the case for decades and decades,” the Premier said.

It is understood the documents never went to cabinet but the government says they were part of the process to develop a final cabinet submission on the road map.

Mr Andrews said he did not believe he was asked about the matter before it was referred to police. “I certainly … haven’t been asked what do I think about whether they should be (referred),’’ he said. “That’s not a matter for me. I don’t involve myself in those things.”

The DHHS confirmed the alleged conduct had been referred to the police, and said it was thus “inappropriate … to comment further”.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews at a media briefing. Picture: Tim Carrafa

Following an investigation, the DHHS found the employee, who performs an administrative role, had engaged in an alleged breach of the Victorian Public Service code of conduct. Under DHHS policy, breaches of the code of conduct are investigated and action can include dismissal or referral to police.

Opposition legal affairs spokesman Edward O’Donohue said the government would “do anything it can to stop Victorians from knowing the truth”.

“Rather than a witch hunt, Daniel Andrews should be focused on saving the small businesses he’s smashed … because of his hotel quarantine COVID-19 second wave.’’