Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews’ private office linked to secret virus surveys

Government emails reveal how Daniel Andrews’ private office was heavily involved in the controversial program by a Labor strategist to monitor political fallout from lockdown restrictions

QDOS chief John Armitage.

Andrews government emails reveal the detailed involvement of the Premier’s private office in the taxpayer-funded community monitoring program run by QDOS Research.

Email exchanges throughout last year, released to The Australian under Freedom of Information laws, confirm Dan Andrews’ closest advisers commissioned the QDOS surveys and helped draft and approve the questions.

A DPC manager, whose identity has been redacted, emailed QDOS chiefs John Armitage and Sue Loukomitis on July 21 about focus groups planned for Bentleigh and Ararat.

“Confirming the addition below prompts/topics to tonight and Thursday’s groups. PPO (Premier’s private office) have approved,” the manager states in the heavily redacted email.

A July 16 email from Sophie Barrett in the Department of Premier and Cabinet to Ms Loukomitis, states: “Sorry Sue, that should be ‘go back into lockdown for six weeks’ not one month.” The email’s subject field states “Pending PPO confirmation of no additional questions”.

Cabinet-in-confidence emails reveal that at the earliest stages of the coronavirus pandemic the DPC recognised the value to QDOS’s research in shaping the government’s response.

A DPC manager, whose identity has been redacted, emailed Ms Loukomitis on March 11 commissioning QDOS to conduct a “rolling daily online survey to measure sentiment around Covid-19”.

The DPC raises the prospect of an additional Covid-19 contract for QDOS. “If necessary, we may need to draw up a separate contract, however we can deal with that later,” the manager states in the email.

The Labor strategy firm’s critical role in the Andrews government’s political operation has been exposed by The Australian this week, including its large-scale surveys during the height of last year’s Covid-19 crisis.

Emails from July 2020 are heavily framed around the unfolding second wave and lockdown.

On July 6, Ms Loukomitis emailed a DPC manager, whose identity has also been redacted, saying; “Let me know if you want anything raised in the groups this week. We’ll ask about the latest directives, the full lockdowns, and awareness of support services.”

On July 1, Ms Loukomitis emailed a DPC manager about assessing the public’s reaction to the lockdown. “Do we need to add lockdown ‘for one month’ to the last question?” Exactly 23 minutes later, the DPC manager emails back: “Sorry Sue, another change: (redacted). Can you make those three changes so I can send a clean draft to (redacted) to approve?”

QDOS documents suggest the company was also providing communications advice to the Andrews government.

“In relation to communications issues we are in a very strong position to give meaningful interpretation and advice about tackling communications challenges,” it stated in a tender document.

QDOS reveals in the document that during its 2016-18 contract it developed “survey instruments” for online and automated telephone surveys, “which enabled tracking of public perceptions”.

QDOS sells its skills in analysing its raw data for government ministers. “Senior departmental personnel, government ministers and their advisers rarely have the capacity to interrogate data in detail. They need information that allows them to make decisions and take action,” the company states.

“Our reports have an executive summary that cuts to the key findings that our clients need to know. We have become trusted advisers to senior leaders because of our capacity to give clear, concise briefs with high-quality information they know they can rely on.

“Our job is to help our clients deliver quality communications built around good framing based on robust communications science, in order to counter often reactive media responses to complex social issues (eg, mental health, crime, family violence, etc).”

Within days of QDOS signing its second contract on December 4, 2019, the Premier’s private office was commissioning an urgent pre-Christmas survey. An email from a de-identified DPC official on 3.50pm that day states: “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 … ”

A February 21 email from a de-identified DPC manager to Ms Loukomitis reveals the PPO was involved in the survey of metropolitan growth and regional communities in March. “I have provided the below dates to GD (DPC manager) who will pass on to PPO.” A February 13 email carrying the subject title of “OFFICIAL-SENSITIVE: Hopefully the last request …” states: “Tomorrow should be fine, I will be updating the ppt (final changes) after GD’s meeting with PPO tomorrow.”