Andrews government emails reveal weeks before contract inked survey plans already underway

Emails show Andrews’ Department of Premier and Cabinet was working closely on a pre-Christmas survey with QDOS two weeks before $1.2m deal was signed.

Labor strategist John Armitage. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Two weeks before the Andrews government handed Labor strategist John Armitage a $1.2m deal without a competitive tender, it was already working closely with his firm on a major program to monitor the views of Victorians.

Government emails reveal that in November 2019 the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Mr Armitage’s firm, QDOS Research, were planning an urgent pre-Christmas survey.

QDOS’s previous taxpayer-funded contract had expired in late 2018 and documents show the $1.2m deal was not signed off by Daniel Andrews’ top public servant Chris Eccles until December 4. In an email on November 19, at 11.03am, a DPC manager assures Mr Armitage the seven-figure deal is close to being finalised.

“I understand that our ED is meeting with PPO (Premier’s private office) this week, so I am hoping to have an idea of requirements for the 2019 round shortly. If there are any deadlines that we would need to meet to get an online survey and/or focus groups into field before Christmas, please let us know,” the manager writes.

QDOS research director Sue Loukomitis responds at 11.15am the same day, stating: “(Apologies for the tag-teaming with John and i on this, just want to keep things moving..)

“If we work backwards, ideally we’d like to be able to deliver any report by Fri 20 Dec which means quant should be in the field no later than the week beginning 2 Dec.

“Focus groups in the first two weeks of Dec they can’t be signed off to at least start next week. Just depends on how many groups really. We could get them done in a week but just need a week to recruit.”

An email from a DPC manager to Ms Loukomitis on November 27 at 3.25pm stated: “I know this is getting a bit tight in terms of fielding a survey before Christmas, however as soon as i hear back from PPO as to their requirements, I will be in contact. My proposal is for an online survey, n=800 with standard recruitment etc. and minimal change to content.”

The specific questions and details of the pre-Christmas monitoring program have been redacted from the emails released to The Australian under Freedom of Information laws.

Government documents reveal QDOS would pocket $224,000 for the remaining seven months of 2019-20, $385,000 for each of the next two financial years and $128,000 for the final four months of the deal, which expires in October 2022, just weeks before the next state election.

The Australian has exposed QDOS’s secretive work for the Premier’s private office and the DPC, which has included asking Victorians to rate their leadership in responding to Covid-19.

The Andrews government has defended its use of the veteran Labor political strategist. “All governments around Australia – federal and state, Labor and Liberal – seek community feedback to gauge how to best deliver services,” a government spokesperson said.

Emails between the DPC and QDOS reveal a sense of urgency surrounded the questions and timing of the festive survey of Victorians in December 2019.

One email from a DPC manager to QDOS chiefs at 2.59pm on December 4 states: “Hi sue, We haven’t got sign off yet from the Secretary, however I thought I’d send you the draft contract to review. I am still awaiting word from PPO as to requirements for this month. We will pass this on asap.”

Forty one minutes later, the deal is signed, with the DPC manager emailing QDOS chiefs at 3.50pm: “All documents are signed! I look forward to working with you both, and the team, until October 2022.

“Unfortunately still so (sic) word from PPO regarding requirements for research this month. They had committed to getting back to us by 5pm today – I guess there is still time.”

Responding to questions from The Australian, the government cited this email to defend the process of awarding the contract, saying it makes it clear the premier’s office hadn’t committed to research for December.

On December 16, a DPC manager emailed Mr Armitage and Ms Loukomitis at 1.01pm stating: “HI John, Thanks again to the team for getting that last minute survey into field this week.

“I have attached a contract for your signature. Please check the costs are correct and let me know if there are any concerns.”

A series of emails on December 13 detail the specific questions and nature of the pre-Christmas program – but details have been redacted. One email sent to Mr Armitage and Ms Loukomitis at 7.50am, states: “Hi John, Can we drop question 15 please. I am not sure if (redacted) has made some changes to questions 13 and 14 – the new track changes is difficult to work out!”

On December 11, at 4.37pm, a DPC manager emails QDOS chiefs stating: “Hi sue. As discussed, we have been given the go ahead to get an online survey into the field asap. The same specification as last implementation in June 2018.

“(redacted) has committed to signing off on a survey by cob tomorrow so if you could sent through some options for review, we will turn these around asap.”

On December 12, at 12.31pm, a DPC manager emailed two ministerial staff about the pre-Christmas survey. “Please see attached draft online survey … Plan is to start programming tomorrow and soft launch over the weekend.”