High-profile Victorian government bureaucrat Jeroen Weimer has dodged questions over a new high-paying role within the Premier’s department amid criticism over a payout for his role as Commonwealth Games chief.
Weimar’s pay was criticised this week as Victorians face cost of living pressures.
When approached by reporters outside the Premier’s department today, Weimar refused to answer any questions about his new gig and recent public scrutiny.
Asked if he understood why people were concerned, he hit reporters with a “no comment” and silence.
After just ten months in his role as Commonwealth Games chief, Weimar is believed to have received the payout, before accepting a new six-month role to lead housing policy in the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
The housing statement Weimar is heading is now nearly six months old, with the industry warning it was already looking off-track.
New home approvals are sitting at 54,000 for this year when 80,000 per-year was the target.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan defended the work that was already being done.
“We are still in the very early stages of the rollout of those reforms,” she said.
The opposition earlier this week claimed Weimar’s payout would outrage struggling Victorians and claimed favoritism was what landed him his new gig.
Today opposition spokesperson Michael O’Brien called out Weimar’s inability to answer questions.
“I think time is up for Jeroen Weimar,” he said.
“This is a man who made a mess of Public Transport Victoria, the COVID response, who made a mess of the Commonwealth Games and now he’s literally been seen running away from being accountable to Victorians.
“I don’t think Victorians can have confidence in him.”
