By Cassandra Morgan and Erin Pearson
A civil stoush over a crash between cyclist Ryan Meuleman and Daniel Andrews’ wife, Catherine, is headed to trial after mediation failed.
Meuleman’s barrister James Catlin confirmed on Monday the case was expected to go to trial after his client was injured in a 2013 crash with the former premier’s wife.
Daniel Andrews with his wife, Catherine, in 2023.Credit: Wayne Taylor
Meuleman is suing Slater and Gordon, alleging it failed to properly investigate the circumstances of the collision at Blairgowrie on the Mornington Peninsula in January 2013.
Lawyers for Meuleman, who was 15 years old at the time of the crash, claim the firm failed to act in his best interests, and breached their obligations to him when securing an $80,000 compensation payout from the Transport Accident Commission.
Meuleman’s father Peter said Slater and Gordon was unable to explain how it became involved with the collision in the first place.
His son had his whole life ahead of him at the time of the crash, Peter Meuleman said.
“Instead of looking after Ryan, Slater and Gordon protected Daniel Andrews because Daniel Andrews was about to become the most powerful man in Victoria,” he said.
“Ryan didn’t count for anything to them. He was treated like he was disposable... He was just a political problem to them.
“This crash should have had nothing to do with politics, but everywhere you look you see politics coming first and Ryan being put last. That’s got to change.”
Slater and Gordon would not comment on the case while it was before the courts.
Meuleman’s lawyers have subpoenaed a Victoria Police Professional Standards Command report into the crash, an internal review of the police investigation.
“We anticipate having to spend precious funds trying to get what we’re entitled to,” Catlin said.
The case is due before the Supreme Court of Victoria for a post-mediation hearing on January 29 next year.
A trial date has been listed for May 12, the court confirmed. However, that is subject to change.
Neither Daniel nor Catherine Andrews are parties to the civil proceeding, which is between Meuleman and Slater and Gordon.
During a brief hearing in the Supreme Court last month, ahead of mediation, Catlin denied an accusation that Meuleman’s lawyers may have mishandled documents.
Slater and Gordon raised the “potential” misuse of documents with the court, telling the judicial registrar they sought the court’s guidance on the matter.
Catlin queried whether the suggestion was being made to intimidate his client ahead of mediation and burden his client, who is on Centrelink.
“What is really behind this is the dog-whistling suggestion someone has committed contempt? So if they want to bring a contempt summons they should,” Catlin said.
Catlin said the case itself had attracted significant public interest.
He maintained his client had not breached any undertaking regarding documentation and recordings he received during the current court proceedings. This included the Triple-0 call made by Daniel Andrews.
“It is costing us. This recording was produced to three experts as well,” Caitlin said.
The judicial registrar declined to make a ruling on the matter and ordered the case to proceed to mediation the following Wednesday.
Meuleman spent 11 days in hospital after the 2013 crash.
Catherine Andrews was driving a taxpayer-funded 4WD when the then 15-year-old cyclist was hit, and the then-opposition leader was in the car, along with their three children.
No charges were laid at the time. Police who attended the scene did not breathalyse anyone, in breach of standard operating procedures. The officers were given a warning, but were ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing.
This failure – and a subsequent refusal by Victoria Police to release crash documents requested by media under freedom-of-information laws – prompted the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission to review police handling of the incident.
Our Breaking News Alert will notify you of significant breaking news when it happens. Get it here.