Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews is under renewed scrutiny over a collision between his family’s car and a young cyclist in 2013.
An expert review of the incident by Dr Raymond Shuey has been released. Shuey was the state’s former Assistant Commissioner for Traffic and Operations.
The review has concluded that Andrews’ vehicle was “travelling at speed” and on the wrong side of the road when the collision occurred.
Shuey also found that the Victoria Police investigation that supported Andrews’ version of the incident was “deeply flawed”, “unfounded”, and “contrary to the available evidence”.
He also contends that the police had engaged in an “overt cover-up” to protect Andrews, who was Opposition leader at the time.
From the Herald-Sun:
“The version as provided by Catherine and Daniel Andrews is considered improbable and implausible,” Dr Shuey asserts.
“The truth is still outstanding. It is most probable that the vehicle undertook a sweep turn at speed, cutting the corner and still on the incorrect side of the roadway in Ridley St, 27 metres from Melbourne Rd when the collision occurred.”
“The propagation of a lie” and “a striking deception”, the report finds, began when the driver’s name was recorded as “Catherine Louise Kesik” – Mrs Andrews’ maiden name – in a Traffic Incident System report submitted by police in the hours after the crash”.
“This is contrary to the name of Andrews as recorded by police as contemporaneous notes on the form 502, the investigation notes, TAC reports, statements and all other recordings provided,” it says.
“Kesik then becomes the name under which the crash is indexed and retrievable. This irregularity would be a ‘standout’ for supervisors, insurance, legal reviewers …
“It is my opinion that this deception is part of a course of conduct and a component of an overt cover-up to avoid implicating a political figure in a life-threatening crash. Failure by supervisors and reviewers to identify this or seek explanation is inexcusable.”
“The investigators’ failure to follow even a rudimentary examination of the evidence is demonstrated in the hasty and illogical conclusion,” it asserts.
“The (police) report lacks critical information including measurements, photographs and professional interview techniques. Instead, the investigator has drawn a baseless and unsupported conclusion that fails to account for the available evidence.
“This negligent approach not only undermines the integrity of the investigation but also jeopardises the pursuit of justice and accurate accountability in this case.
“Further, it demonstrates a high level of incompetence or alternatively a deliberate attempt to simplify the crash to rudimentary reporting requirements.”
As expected, Dan Andrews and his wife have issued a joint statement labelling Dr Shuey’s findings “appalling conspiracy theories”:
“This so-called report was commissioned by lawyers on behalf of their clients who are seeking money through the courts by suing their former lawyers”.
“We are not a party to this legal action. We did nothing wrong. This matter has already been comprehensively and independently investigated and closed by Victoria Police and integrity agencies”.
“We will not dignify these appalling conspiracy theories by commenting further at this time”.
They didn’t call Andrews ‘Teflon Dan’ for nothing. He was a masterful politician, and nothing ever stuck. Nothing was ever his fault. He was always above the law.
That is why I don’t expect anything to come from this incident, despite the obvious cover up. Like everything else involving Andrews, it will be swept under the rug.
