Daniel Andrews’ ‘secret’ Covid response chief

A newly unredacted ‘cabinet in confidence’ Department of Premier and Cabinet email reveals key details of the secretive role played by QDOS in the Andrews government’s Covid-19 response.

QDOS chief John Armitage.

A newly unredacted ‘‘cabinet in confidence’’ Department of Premier and Cabinet email reveals key details of the secretive role played by QDOS in the Andrews government’s Covid-19 response.

The email was sent in late September 2020 – as Melbourne was still in the midst of a 112-day lockdown – by a DPC official to QDOS director Sue Loukomitis.

In July 2021, under Freedom of Information laws, The Australian first received a heavily redacted copy of the email sent at 9.46am on Monday, September 28 from the DPC official, whose name remains censored, to Ms Loukomitis.

The email carried the subject line ‘‘Cabinet in Confidence: groups this week’’. QDOS chief John Armitage was cc’d.

‘‘Hi Sue, Below are the list of suggested areas of focus that I plan to send to PPO (Premier’s Private Office). I would appreciate input from John and yourself if you have time review this morning. Let me know your thoughts. Regards (redacted).

Just three lines made it past the DPC censors.

Three black boxes obliterated the rest of the email’s contents.

But in considering The Australian’s appeal, Victorian Information Commissioner Sven Bluemmel dismissed the DPC’s black box justification, that because the email was an ‘‘internal working document’’ Victorians weren’t entitled to read it.

The unredacted version of the September 28 email sheds extraordinary light on the government’s heavy reliance on QDOS to guide its pandemic response.

‘‘In terms of groups this week, I think it will be really important to monitor frustration given there are really only small changes again this week,’’ the unnamed DPC official writes.

‘‘Reporting on this will be more important than the fact that people are on side still, as it reflects where breaches might start to occur.

‘‘I think even those that support the government overall are starting to push the boundaries in small ways with justification that cases are so low.

“Exploring the impact of the larger fines will therefore be important.’’

The DPC official then lists 12 broad areas and more than 30 more targeted issues the government wanted QDOS to stress-test Victorians on.

‘‘Initial reaction/top of mind discussions following Sunday announcement. E.g. expected/unexpected, extent of resignation/frustration,’’ the official wrote.

Under requested research for ‘‘metro’’ residents, the email prioritises QDOS to test views around ‘‘attitude to gathering of up to 5 outdoors – from two households, no curfew and changes to exercise – 2 plus personal trainer (outside) and exercise near workplaces for permitted workers”.

The DPC email continues:

‘‘Do they understand the need to get numbers as low as possible to avoid a ‘third wave’/cases rising again?

“Do people link the need to control the virus before the state government can address jobs and the impact on economy?’’

Under a section headlined ‘‘Gauge mood/levels of hope for their households’’, the email states: “Are there any restrictions that are harder to abide by? (probe for ‘bending’ the rules),

‘‘How are people getting through this stage – what ‘coping’ mechanisms, activities or mindsets are people using to help themselves, their family or their community.’’

The email then goes on to request that QDOS get Victorians to rate the government’s performance.

‘‘With coronavirus cases declining (over 700 daily 6-7 weeks ago to under 20 now), how do they think the government has managed the situation?’’