Call for Dan Andrews to be fired

Protesters are calling for former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews to be sacked from his new gig at Orygen Youth Health after his salary was revealed.

Mr Andrews was announced last week as the new chairman at Orygen, a clinical research organization with a focus on youth mental health.

The former premier, who led Victoria from 2014 to 2023, said he was “incredibly proud” to take on the role.

“Orygen is one of Australia’s leading organizations with a bold vision for all young people to enjoy the best mental health as they grow into adulthood,” Mr Andrews said.

“It will be an honor to work closely with Chief Executive Professor Patrick McGorry and help him realize this vision through Orygen’s ground-breaking research, knowledge translation, advocacy, workforce development and clinical care.”

However, protesters descended on Orygen’s office in Parkville in central Melbourne on Friday, demanding Mr Andrews be removed from the organisation.

The small group held a sign that read: “Rights for the people.”

According to the Herald Sun, Mr Andrews will receive an annual salary of $75,000, rising to $225,000 at the end of his three-year tenure at Orygen.

This is in addition to his parliamentary pension, which is reportedly up to $300,000, according to 9NEWS.

A “peaceful protest” was planned for Friday, with protesters from the online group Let Them Be Kidz claiming Mr Andrews and Orygen were “gas lighting the most vulnerable”.

“Orygen and the former premier are gaslighting the most vulnerable people in our state,” a leaflet from the group said.

“This is incredible, take a stand with us to reverse this.”

The group’s website states that they are “dedicated to informing parents of the immoral and depraved agenda.”

“Sexualized indoctrination of your children and grandchildren is an attack on their innocence and also an attack on the moral fabric of our society,” the website states.

“Unbelievably, governments and politicians are allowing and encouraging this attack on innocence,” it added.

An Orygen spokesman expressed disappointment at the action, with some employees reportedly told to work from home on Friday to avoid the protest.

“We are disappointed to learn of plans to discontinue our important work in youth mental health care and research,” the spokesperson said.

“Out of an abundance of caution, we have put additional measures in place to protect the safety and wellbeing of the young people and families we care for, as well as our staff.

“The small group planning the disruption is well known for regularly protesting against diversity and inclusion, which is in opposition to our values.

“We encourage anyone planning to take part to consider the impact on young people who rely on our services for mental health support.

An Orygen spokesman also told the Herald Sun that Mr Andrews’ salary was the same as the organisation’s former chairman, Sir Edward Byrne.

“The chair’s role encompasses a wide range of leadership responsibilities that sit outside of these meetings and events, which are important to ensure that the Orygen board fulfills its duties to effectively operate a medical research institute and mental health service for young people”, the spokesperson. said.

The masthead was also told the former prime minister and his family “support many charitable causes and will continue to do so” when asked if he would donate his salary to charity.

The protest was scheduled to begin at 12:00 on Friday.