Top Victorian cop Brett Curran remains silent over Daniel Andrews’ Blairgowrie crash

A top cop who was chief of staff for Dan Andrews when the then-premier’s family was involved in a collision with a teen cyclist has refused to say if he had dealings with him after the crash.

One of the state’s top cops has refused to say whether he had dealings with former premier Daniel Andrews in the aftermath of a 2013 car crash.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Brett Curran declined to clarify if he had received a telephone call from Mr Andrews from the scene of his family’s Blairgowrie collision with teenage bike rider Ryan Meuleman.

Mr Curran was Mr Andrews’ chief of staff at the time of the incident and has been identified as a potential witness in a Supreme Court damages action surrounding the crash.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Brett Curran won’t clarify if he received a telephone call from Mr Andrews from the scene of the collision with a teenage bike rider.

A long-time police officer, Mr Curran served as chief of staff to former Brumby government police minister Bob Cameron before working for Mr Andrews during his days as opposition leader.

He rejoined the force in 2014, became chief of staff to Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton the following year and was elevated into the newly created role of Assistant Commissioner for Gender Equality and Inclusion in 2019.

Asked recently if Mr Curran had spoken to Mr Andrews after the crash, a police spokesman said: “Victoria Police conducted a thorough investigation into this matter, as did IBAC, and all findings were consistent. We have no further comment to provide on the matter”.

The Herald Sun also asked Mr Curran in November last year if he had liaised with Mr Andrews after the smash. He did not respond directly to the question.

Mr Andrews and his wife Catherine have always said they were returning to their holiday rental after a morning at ‘the beach’. David Crosling

Ryan’s lawyers have launched a damages action against major law firm Slater & Gordon for failing to conduct “a full and proper investigation into the circumstances” of the near-fatal collision.

It can be revealed rival law firm MinterEllison has been engaged to defend Slater & Gordon.

In documents filed with the court, MinterEllison disputes claims Slater & Gordon failed to act in Ryan’s best interests and breached its duty of care and obligations to him when negotiating his $80,000 Transport Accident Commission compensation payout.

MinterEllison also asserts that the Meuleman family are out of time in challenging the case because of the statute of limitations.

All parties have until November 20 to produce key documents under discovery.

Mediation must be held by July next year with a trial date set for May 2025.

Teen cyclist Ryan Meuleman was rushed to hospital after the crash. Picture: Supplied

Ryan’s barrister Daryl Dealehr told the Herald Sun: “This matter is moving swiftly towards a substantial evidence gathering phase of the proceeding.

“Mr Andrews and his wife made sworn statements blaming the plaintiff for causing the accident. These sworn statements were subsequently amplified by Mr and Ms Andrews in a number of TV and press interviews and reports and are in conflict with the plaintiff’s version.

“A determination of who caused the accident is, amongst other matters, an important question to be decided in this proceeding.

“I express no opinion on whether the seriousness of this matter helped influence Mr Andrews’ decision to resign as Premier. I will leave that to you to draw your own conclusions.”

Former Victoria Police commissioner Kel Glare says he doesn’t believe ‘proper procedure’ was followed.

Dr Raymond Shuey — the state’s former Assistant Commissioner for Traffic and Operations, who says the Victoria Police investigation failed to meet 12 “critical” standards — has been engaged as an expert witness.

Dr Shuey last month questioned whether key failures by police conspired to “kill the investigation in its tracks”.

Former Police Chief Commissioner Kel Glare has also said he does not believe “proper procedure” was followed.

In April, the Herald Sun revealed an Ambulance Victoria report which detailed how the Andrews’ Ford Territory “struck” Ryan while “travelling at 40 to 60kmph” in a Blairgowrie back street on January 7, 2013, contradicting the former premier’s claims that their vehicle was “T-boned” by the bike.

The “Patient Care Report” – made by paramedics who attended the crash scene and buried for a decade – was at odds with the ­Andrews’ claims they came to a “complete stop” and “turned right from a stationary ­position” just ­“moments” before the collision.

Ryan has always insisted the ­Andrews’ car was “speeding” and “seemed to come out of nowhere” when he was struck 17m on from the Melbourne Rd and Ridley St intersection.

Claims Mr Andrews told a witness at the scene that his family “had been having lunch” at the “sailing club” prior to the smash have also been referred to Victoria’s anti-corruption commission.

Mr Andrews and his wife, Catherine, who was behind the wheel, have always said they were returning to their holiday rental after a morning at “the beach”.

The pair, as well as their children, could be called to give evidence if the case proceeds to court.

Phone records could also be subpoenaed.

Originally published as Top Victorian cop Brett Curran remains silent over Daniel Andrews’ Blairgowrie crash