Victoria’s senior minister Jenny Mikakos resigned on Saturday, sharing her resignation letter on social media.
The scathing letter disagrees with a statement by Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews during the COVID-19 hotel quarantine inquiry on Friday. She strongly disagreed with his comments and stated that she can no longer serve in his cabinet following his statements.
In her letter she assumed responsibility for all issues of concern with the health department, however she said there were matters she had not been briefed on.
“For three months, I had looked forward to learning who made the fateful decision to use security guards. Victorians deserve to know who,” she wrote in her letter of resignation.
“I have always put everything into my ministerial responsibilities. I have never wanted to leave a job unfinished but in the light of the Premier’s statement to the Board of Inquiry and the fact that there are elements in that that I strongly disagree with, I believe I cannot continue to serve in his cabinet.
“I have never shirked my responsibility for my department but it is not my responsibility alone. I look forward to the Board of Inquiry’s final report.”
READ MORE: Jenny Mikakos sends mixed messages during COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine Inquiry
She said history would “determine” whether the course of events could have had a different outcome, however added that she was disappointed her “integrity was sought to be undermined”.
Her resignation is effective as of Saturday, and she would also be resigning from Parliament. She apologised for the situation Victorians have found themselves in but repeated that she did not believe her actions led to the current state of circumstances.
Her resignation comes following calls of her to resign or be sacked from health union representatives and Federal Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton.
Neos Kosmos has reached out to Ms Mikakos for more clarifications but she could not be reached.