Victorian Premier Dan Andrews was hospitalised after a serious fall at a holiday home on the Mornington Peninsula on 9 March. The incident has since become the subject of unfounded conspiracy theories, which originated on encrypted messaging apps and fringe websites before gaining mainstream attention.
The conspiracy narrative began with anonymous posts on Telegram, an app popular among far-right activists and anti-lockdown groups. These posts falsely claimed that Andrews' injuries were the result of an altercation, involving trucking tycoon Lindsay Fox or former PricewaterhouseCoopers executive Luke Sayers. Both men have denied any involvement, and Fox is reportedly considering legal action over the rumours.
The theories were amplified by a blog that promotes QAnon and Port Arthur massacre misinformation, which published an article on 11 March headlined “Who bashed Dan Andrews?”. The blog claimed, without evidence, that Andrews' injuries were consistent with being kicked while on the ground.
On Monday, Victorian opposition treasury spokeswoman Louise Staley gave further impetus to the conspiracy theories by releasing a list of 12 questions about the accident, including whether Andrews had been interviewed by police. Staley insisted she was merely urging the premier to “clear up” rumours, but her statement followed the long-running conspiracy narrative.
In response, Victoria Ambulance confirmed the timeline Andrews had provided for the accident, and Police Commissioner Shane Patton stated that police did not attend the home or interview the premier. The conspiracy theories have been widely discredited, with no evidence to support the claims of a cover-up.
