Jeff Kennett slams Daniel Andrews’ mental health job

Jeff Kennett warns the appointment of Daniel Andrews to lead a youth mental health body is ‘destructive’.

Former Victorian Labor premier Daniel Andrews has been appointed chairman of youth mental health organisation Orygen. Picture: NewsWire / Gary Ramage

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Jeff Kennett has slammed the appointment of Daniel Andrews to lead a youth mental health organisation, claiming Victorians were suffering “depression, confusion and mental illness” as a result of the actions of his government.

The former Liberal premier says while he backs ex-politicians serving the community, he could not support the decision by leading youth mental health organisation, Orygen, to appoint Mr Andrews as chairman.

“I find this appointment to be destructive,” Mr Kennett, who founded mental health body Beyond Blue when he finished as premier in 1999, told The Weekend Australian.

“He’s coming on as chairman in an environment when more people are suffering mental health issues than any time in our history, when so much of that depression, confusion and mental illness has been caused by his government's actions.”

Mr Kennett identified the Andrews Labor government's world-record Covid-19 lockdowns and mismanagement of the economy as contributing to the state’s mental health crisis.

“I think the public will just ask themselves why? Is this about Daniel trying to soften his image? I don’t understand the logic behind this.”

Jeff Kennett speaking at the Global Food Forum in Brisbane in July. Picture: Glenn Hunt

Orygen executive director Patrick McGorry described Mr Andrews as an “outstanding” leader and said he was “surprised” by Mr Kennett’s criticism.

“With 20 years of leadership in mental health reform, Dan Andrews will be an outstanding leader for Orygen and the field of youth mental health,” Professor McGorry said.

“Mr Andrews has a proven record as an agent of change with a strategic mindset, which are invaluable attributes for Orygen as we continue to lead youth mental health reform while navigating funding challenges to secure the support we need to sustain our vital work.

“Mr Andrews has already played a significant role in the Orygen story, and I look forward to working with him on writing the next chapters.”

Professor McGorry described Mr Kennett as the “role model” for Mr Andrews’ appointment.

“So I’m a bit surprised that Jeff of all people is critical of this … Jeff’s been very positive for mental health,” he said.

“I think he is allowing other aspects of politics to influence that criticism rather than looking at what we’re doing here. This is not about politics it is about strengthening our response to youth mental health crisis. This is about progressing mental health.”

Patrick McGorry with Mr Andrews during a tour of the new Orygen National Youth Mental Health Centre in Melbourne in 2018. Picture: AAP

Professor McGorry said Orygen had investigated whether Victoria’s marathon lockdown had contributed to mental health problems, and the organisation couldn’t find evidence to support this.

Mr Andrews, who served almost a decade as premier of Victoria, during which he held a mental health royal commission, was appointed on Friday as chairman of Orygen for the next three years.

“I’m incredibly proud to take on this leadership role to help Orygen and its world-leading experts at this pivotal time for youth mental health in Australia and globally,” Mr Andrews said.

“Orygen is one of Australia’s most important organisations, with a bold vision for all young people to enjoy the very best mental health as they grow into adulthood.”

Throughout this time, he was a significant mental health advocate, which included establishing the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System and helping to fund the development of Orygen’s Parkville site in Melbourne’s biomedical precinct.

Orygen is a not-for-profit youth mental health research institute and charity, which also runs various healthcare services including several Headspace Centres and a youth inpatient recovery centre in Parkville.