Victorian top public servant resigns, following in footsteps of Jenny Mikakos

·

Victoria’s top public servant Chris Eccles, who came under fire at the state’s hotel quarantine inquiry, has resigned.

Mr Eccles, the Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, resigned after his phone records were handed to the hotels inquiry.

In a statement, he said that staying in his position would be a “significant distraction to the ongoing work of the Victorian public sector.”

READ MORE: Victorian Health Minister Jenny Mikakos resigns.

Mr Eccles fronted the state’s hotel quarantine inquiry in September.

Mr Eccles fronted the state’s hotel quarantine inquiry in September, and said neither he nor the Premier’s department made the decision to use private security in the program.

The inquiry heard that on March 27, the day the hotel quarantine program was set up, then chief Police Commissioner, Graham Ashton, texted Mr Eccles at 1.16pm and that the senior bureaucrat could not recall calling him back.

But in his resignation statement today, Mr Eccles revealed that phone records showed he called Mr Ashton for two minutes at 1.17pm that day.

More to come.

READ MORE: Jenny Mikakos: Treat Daniel Andrews’ COVID-19 Hotel Quarantine evidence with ‘caution.’

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

‘Compassion, community and purpose’ define the 2025 Jenny Souris Foundation Gala

The Jenny Souris Foundation Gala returned on Wednesday, 15 October 2025, with heart and purpose, drawing around 300 guests.

Thousands attend inaugural Brunswick Greek Festival

Thousands of people attended the Brunswick Greek Festival which was organised and run by the St Eleftherios Albion Street Brunswick parish.

St John’s church in Carlton hosts annual celebration for Patron Saint of police officers

The annual celebration of Saint Artemios’ feast day is one of the key events on the Victoria Hellenic Police Association (VHPA) calendar.

Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos strengthens ties in Adelaide visit

Greece's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, is visiting Adelaide, South Australia.

Ex-Collingwood captain sues former manager Jason Sourasis for $3 million

Former Collingwood captain Scott Pendlebury has filed a $3 million lawsuit against his former manager and long-time friend Jason Sourasis.

You May Also Like

The Athenian Association of NSW announces winner of its Hellenic Achievement Award

The Athenian Association of NSW Inc. has today announced the winner of the Athenian Hellenic Achievement Award for 2020 and 2021.

Thousands ordered to evacuate as more flooding expected for Victoria, NSW and Tasmania

Towns across Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania are being urged to evacuate as the states brace for more wild weather.

Young lawyer Elle Belekas named finalist in the Law Society of NSW Awards

Young lawyer at MinterEllison, Elle Belekas, finalist in the ‘Early Career Lawyer of the Year’ category of the Law Society of NSW Awards.