Victoria’s health minister resigns a day after the Prime Minister said she was partly responsible for the failed Covid hotel quarantine system
Victoria Prime Minister Daniel Andrews said Jenny Mikakos’ decision to step down as state health minister was’ appropriate ‘, but declined to explain why he thought it was was the right decision
On Saturday Mikakos announced that she would resign as Minister of Health and leave Parliament, a day after the Prime Minister said she was partly responsible for the Covid-19 hotel quarantine program missed
In a scathing statement posted to Twitter, Mikakos said she « strongly disagrees [d] » with Andrews’ comments during an investigation into the hotel’s quarantine program. state, but felt she had no choice but to resign
« I never wanted to leave a job unfinished, but in light of the Prime Minister’s statement to the Commission of Inquiry and the fact that it contains elements with which I strongly disagree, I believe that I cannot continue to serve in his cabinet, ”she wrote in a one-page statement
Speaking to the media on Saturday afternoon, Andrews announced that Martin Foley, Minister for Mental Health, Creative Industries and Equality, would replace Mikakos. He thanked Mikakos for his « dedicated service », but said stated that although he had not asked for her resignation it was « the proper course of action for her »
« I didn’t speak to the minister before she resigned She texted me It was just to let me know that a letter [of resignation] had been sent I didn’t speak to her and I haven’t spoken to him since «
But Andrews declined to answer questions about why he thought it appropriate for the state’s health minister to step down, saying he would wait for the findings of the quarantine investigation. of the hotel are returned before commenting
« Whether it seems appropriate to me or not, she quit She quit this morning, and I think that’s the way to go »
Mikakos’ resignation is the Victorian government’s first large skull after the state’s Second Wave Covid-19 outbreak, and comes just a day after Andrews blamed the minister for her role in the failed stratagem
Appearing before the inquest on Friday, Andrews questioned Mikakos’ previous evidence that she only learned of the existence of private security in May. Instead, the prime minister said that ‘he « considered her responsible » for the program from April
« The CCC (Crisis Cabinet Council) received regular reports from Minister Mikakos containing data relevant to Victoria’s response to the public health emergency, » he said
But in her statement, Mikakos said she was « eager » to learn who was in charge of the program for months and was « shocked » after receiving a genomic sequencing report in June confirming the link between hotel quarantine program and the second wave of Victoria
« To say that I was shocked would be an understatement, » Mikakos said « As I said to the commission of inquiry, I take responsibility for my department, responsibility is mine »
On Saturday Andrews was asked about the difference in interpretation, and asked why he had not indicated that he believed Mikakos was in charge of the program when asked before testifying at the ‘investigation
« She’s the one referring to the differences and her statement is her statement, » said Andrews « She made a comment I’m not in a position to speculate what she is referring to »
In his statement, Mikakos admitted that in hindsight there were issues his department should have informed him of
« I have never shirked my responsibility for my department, but it is not my only responsibility, » she said
« I am deeply sorry for the situation the Victorians find themselves in. In good conscience, I do not believe that my actions led to it »
A number of Victorian-era Labor MPs have expressed support for Mikakos following his resignation, including Nick Staikos, MP for Bentleigh and Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer, who said he was saddened that the career of the minister « ended this way »
« He is a person of integrity who worked hard while carrying the extraordinary weight of an unprecedented health crisis on his shoulders. I only wish him the best post-politics, ”he wrote
« For 21 years in parliament, but long before, Jenny has been a tremendous servant to our community, » he wrote on Twitter
« Few people have worked so hard or have more passion for helping others I have never seen a hint of personal ambition, just an ambition to do good Proud to call you a friend, Jenny »
Following the release of her statement on Saturday, NSW Minister of Health Brad Hazzard released a statement on Twitter saying he was « sorry » to see her step down, saying that she had « worked tirelessly in this pandemic »
« Premier Andrews’ assertion that the Minister of Health was responsible for the quarantine system lacks logic, » he said « How could a Minister of Health ask the police to get involved? »
« We hope to work with a new Minister of Health to stop bizarre decisions to outsource public hospital cleaners and other non-clinical workers during a pandemic and replace them with outsourcing companies questionable, « the union said
Victoria’s second wave killed more than 780 and caused weeks of strict lockdowns in Melbourne
Mikakos’ comments follow her appearance during the hotel’s quarantine investigation on Thursday, when she said she was « very disappointed » that issues identified with the program at the start did not have her been reported
Mikakos said she did not know Public Health Commander Finn Romanes, wrote to Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kym Peake on April 9, warning of « a risk for the health and safety of detainees ”due to governance issues
The letter was seconded by health official Brett Sutton and his assistant Annaliese van Diemen
Peake also failed to inform Mikakos of two Safer Care Victoria reports, which identified issues with the hotel’s quarantine program
Jenny Mikakos, Minister of Health
World News – AU – Daniel Andrews says Jenny Mikakos decision to quit is « appropriate »
