Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has declared he does not 'run from problems' and stared down calls for his resignation following the dramatic departure of Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos in the middle of a pandemic
"I am deeply sorry for the situation that Victorians find themselves in. In good conscience, I do not believe that my actions led to them."After telling reporters on Thursday that Ms Mikakos had his full-confidence, Mr Andrews said on Saturday that the Health Minister's resignation was the "appropriate decision".Ms Mikakos tried to call the Premier before sending the bombshell text.
Government MPs insist the Premier has the support of the Labor caucus and there are no moves afoot to spill the leadership, but Mr Andrews has been warned to change his "authoritarian" leadership style. Ms Mikakos' resignation came as new witness statements tendered to the board of inquiry revealed the hotel quarantine program was hampered because government departments were "competing" with each other and externally to recruit staff.
Ms Mikakos and the Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kym Peake have consistently maintained the hotel quarantine program was a "multi-agency operation with shared accountability".The Victorian Liberal opposition has long been calling for Ms Mikakos' resignation, but on Saturday Michael O'Brien said the Premier had used her as a sacrificial lamb.Darrian Traynor
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said he would not add fuel to the fire by commenting on Ms Mikakos' resignation or Mr Andrew's testimony at Victoria's hotel quarantine inquiry.
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