Daniel Andrews Appointed Chair of Orygen, Australia’s Key Youth Mental Health Institute

Daniel Andrews, the former Victorian premier, has been appointed as the new chair of Orygen, a leading youth mental health institute based in Melbourne. Andrews, who served as Victoria’s premier for nearly a decade, will begin his role on a fixed three-year term, as announced on Friday morning.

Orygen, located in Parkville in Melbourne’s inner north, is recognized as one of Australia’s most significant clinical research organizations. It focuses on pioneering and advocating new preventative treatments for mental health disorders, working extensively with young people and their families. The institute is part of Melbourne’s biomedical precinct, whose development Andrews helped oversee during his time in office.

Andrews expressed enthusiasm about his new position, stating, “I’m incredibly proud to take on this leadership role to help Orygen and its world-leading experts at this pivotal time for youth mental health in Australia and globally.” He commended Orygen’s bold vision of ensuring the best mental health outcomes for young people as they transition into adulthood.

Despite Andrews’ accomplishment in securing this new role, the appointment was met with criticism from Jeff Kennett, a former Liberal premier and founder of Beyond Blue. Kennett described the appointment as “the most absurd” he had heard, citing it as a “disgrace” given Andrews’ handling of state matters during his premiership.

Professor Patrick McGorry, the executive director of Orygen, has yet to comment on Andrews’ appointment. The decision marks another step in Andrews’ involvement in mental health advocacy, having previously established the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.

In response to criticisms, Andrews did not conduct interviews on the day of the announcement, while McGorry has been contacted for comment regarding the institute’s future under Andrews’ leadership.