Victoria’s Health Minister Jenny Mikakos has resigned from her portfolio, and announced her decision to quit parliament on Satuday.
Her announcement comes a day after Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said she ‘was partially to blame for the state’s bungled Covid-19 hotel quarantine scheme’.
Victoria’s hotel quarantine inquiry was launched after it was reported that the state’s second wave of COVID-19 spread from guests in the overseas arrival program to workers who were working in the program, and eventually spreading through the community.
Jenny Mikakos, in a statement said she disagreed with Andrew’s comments, and that she could not serve in his cabinet.
“I have never wanted to leave a job unfinished but in light of the premier’s statement to the board of inquiry and the fact that there are elements in it that I strongly disagree with, I believe that I cannot continue to serve in his cabinet,” she wrote in a one-page statement.
Ms Mikakos said she took responsibility for the department, but said the hotel quarantine program was not her responsibility alone. “I am disappointed that my integrity has sought to be undermined”, she said.
A number of Victorian Labor MPs expressed support for Mikakos following her resignation. Nick Staikoshe MP for Bentleigh and a parliamentary secretary to the treasurer, said he was saddened the minister’s career “has ended this way”.
A number of Victorian Labor MPs expressed support for Mikakos following her resignation.
Meanwhile, PM Morrison, when asked if the health minister was treated unfairly, declined to comment. “It’s not my role to get involved in those matters that are being investigated in Victoria,” Mr Morrison said.
“They have their process, I’ll respect those processes and let them get on with it. I’ll get on with my job which is work with everybody to rebuild the country.”, he added.
