Former premier Daniel Andrews and his wife Catherine have issued a rare joint statement post-politics to blast a report by a former police officer that cast doubt on their version of a 2013 car accident that injured a teenager. The report was compiled by former police assistant commissioner Dr Raymond Shuey, shortly before his death, in his capacity as an expert witness for a court case brought by Ryan Meuleman, who was hit by the couple’s car when riding his bike. Meuleman is suing his former lawyers over the handling of his original claim for compensation after the crash. Previous investigations by Victoria Police and the state’s integrity watchdog have cleared Daniel and Catherine Andrews over the accident and its handling.

In their statement, The couple took aim at the Herald Sun, which first published the report’s findings on Tuesday, describing the article as “conspiracy theories dressed up as journalism”. Andrews’ wife, Catherine, was driving a taxpayer-funded 4WD when the then 15-year-old cyclist was hit. Andrews, who was opposition leader at the time, was also in the car, along with the couple’s three children.

Shuey’s report, seen by The Age, alleges authorities engaged in an “overt cover-up to avoid implicating a political figure in a life-threatening crash”. In response, the couple said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon: “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.”

Meuleman, who in 2022 secured an $80,000 compensation payout from the Transport Accident Commission, is suing his former law firm, Slater & Gordon. He alleges the firm did not conduct a thorough enough investigation into the January 7, 2013, crash and that the firm should have fought for a larger payout.

The Allegations of a Cover-Up

The damages proceedings are due to be heard in the Supreme Court. While Shuey’s report may be tabled with the court, it is not clear how much weight a judge will place on it given its author can no longer be cross-examined. In his report, Shuey cited the distance the cyclist was thrown from the car and concluded the 4WD could not have come to a complete stop before turning onto Ridley Street, an allegation that clashes with the couple’s evidence.

“It was definitely not a low-speed vehicle impact,” Shuey wrote, noting the cyclist was flipped over the car roof. He found the car was likely travelling at between 40km/h and 50km/h at the point of impact, which is within the speed limit for unsigned suburban streets in Blairgowrie. The former police officer also took issue with the “lack of rigour” surrounding the investigation.

The police officers who attended the scene did not breathalyse anyone, in breach of standard operating procedures. IBAC cleared police of wrongdoing in December 2017. A Victoria Police spokeswoman said: “As has been previously stated, Victoria Police conducted a thorough investigation into this matter, as did IBAC, and all findings were consistent. We have no further comment to provide on the matter.”

A Slater & Gordon spokeswoman declined to comment, citing ongoing court proceedings. The Age has contacted the Meuleman family for comment via the family’s barrister.

Calls for Reopening the Case

The bombshell review, conducted by Dr. Shuey and commissioned by Ryan Meuleman's lawyers, has caused ripples across Victoria, with calls for a reopening of the case. Peter Meuleman, Ryan's father, told Melbourne radio station 3AW that the report sheds 'a whole new light on what happened' to his then 15-year-old son back in 2013. He believes that the initial police investigation was not thorough and has expressed hope that Victoria Police will re-investigate the case thoroughly.

Mr. Meuleman, who witnessed the collision, has criticized the police’s handling of the case, stating that the “initial police investigation was not thorough at all.” He said that the family felt they “did not really get justice” at the time, but with the new evidence, they believe they can now get “a bit more justice out of it.”

A Former Police Chief Commissioner Weighs In

A former Victorian police chief commissioner, Kel Glare, has also come out in support of a reopened investigation. In an interview with Sky News host Andrew Bolt, Glare stated his agreement with Dr. Shuey's findings, calling them a “concerted effort to ensure that there was no accountability for the collision.”

Glare alleged that police ignored standard procedures and protocols, claiming that officers were given instructions from higher authorities to minimize the investigation's scope. He further criticized the involvement of IBAC, stating that he believes they lack the capacity and will to properly investigate the matter.

Glare has advocated for an independent investigation from outside Victoria, calling for a thorough examination of all the facts surrounding the crash. He believes that the integrity of the investigation was compromised by the police’s actions and that a fair and impartial investigation is crucial to ensure justice.

What's Next

While the Andrews have maintained their innocence, the report's findings have sparked significant controversy and raised serious questions about the integrity of the initial police investigation. The calls for a reopened investigation are growing louder, with the Meuleman family, former police officials, and even some members of the public expressing concerns over the handling of the crash. The Andrews’ response has been met with skepticism, with critics pointing out that the police investigation was closed without adequate scrutiny and that the couple has yet to provide any further evidence to support their account of the events.

The ongoing legal proceedings in the Supreme Court and the public's growing interest in the case will likely fuel further debate and scrutiny. The question of whether the police investigation was compromised, and if so, to what extent, remains unanswered. The potential for a reopened investigation with a focus on uncovering the truth will likely shape the future of this complex case.

The upcoming Supreme Court trial will likely be a crucial turning point in this saga. With the release of the report, the case has taken a significant turn, attracting national attention and spotlighting the concerns surrounding the incident. It remains to be seen whether the court proceedings will lead to a comprehensive investigation that can shed light on the truth of what happened that day on the Mornington Peninsula.

The Unanswered Questions

This incident has highlighted the importance of transparency and accountability in investigations involving individuals in positions of power. The allegations of a cover-up have cast a shadow over the Andrews’ reputation, prompting a call for further investigation into the crash and the police’s handling of it.

The Meuleman family’s pursuit of justice, and their determination to uncover the truth, remains a testament to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity. Their story serves as a reminder that justice delayed is not always justice denied, and that the pursuit of truth can sometimes be a long and arduous journey.