A $200K+ public fund scandal emerges from a 2013 crash case tied to former Aussie premier Daniel Andrews, with undisclosed payments to ex-officers and claims of political interference.

A campaign against former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, centered on a 2013 crash involving cyclist Ryan Meuleman, is under scrutiny after court documents revealed over $200,000 in public funds were used to pay cash gifts to potential witnesses, including $10,000 to a former police assistant commissioner and $1,000 to three other ex-officers. The payments, described as ex-gratia or thank-you gifts, were not standard witness compensation and were not disclosed publicly. Two former lawyers allege they were fired by campaign adviser Rohan Wenn when they sought to settle a lawsuit, claiming the campaign had shifted from serving Meuleman’s interests to advancing a political narrative. Wenn denies wrongdoing, saying the payments were for legitimate services and the officers were never intended as witnesses. The case highlights concerns over transparency and the influence of private advisers in high-profile legal actions, though the original crash allegations were never tested in court.