Stunning 'conspiracy theory' blast at Dan Andrews - as the ex-premier is accused of 'malicious smear' in latest bike boy legal drama twist
Former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews has been accused of a malicious smear campaign against Ryan Meuleman, the former teenager now dubbed 'Bike Boy'. Meuleman, now 27, is suing Andrews and his wife Catherine for defamation as part of a saga that began with the collision of his bicycle and the Andrews' vehicle in 2013.On Tuesday, the Federal Court released Mr Meuleman's legal team's response, which slammed Andrews' defamation defence. Andrews' lawyers had lodged the defence on the day it was due in February. The former Premier has not been seen in public since late last year after reportedly suffering a suspected stroke. In a 33-page document lodged with the court last week, Mr Meuleman's team accused the couple of publishing a knowingly false media statement to shut down scrutiny of the crash that left the then-teenager with life-changing injuries.Mr Meuleman claimed the couple's media statement in September 2024 was not a legitimate reply to media criticism but a deliberate and malicious attack on his honesty and integrity that also sought to portray his claim as a conspiracy theoryThe statement followed an article in Melbourne's Herald Sun which outlined former police assistant commissioner Dr Raymond Shuey's damning opinions of the police investigation into the 2013 crash. Catherine and Dan Andrews are at the centre of a bitter legal battle over a 2013 crash 'This so-called report was commissioned by lawyers on behalf of their clients who are seeking money through the courts by suing their former lawyers,' the statement read.'We are not a party to this legal action. We did nothing wrong. This matter has already been comprehensively and independently investigated and closed by Victoria Police and integrity agencies.'We will not dignify these appalling conspiracy theories by commenting further at this time.' Mr Meuleman’s lawyers argued the statement exceeded a mere defence of the Andrews’ version of events. They told the court the Andrews had falsely implied Victoria Police and integrity agencies had 'comprehensively and independently investigated' the crash and cleared the couple of any wrongdoing, while labelling Mr Meuleman’s account as baseless conspiracy theories.Further, Mr Meuleman's team claimed the couple made the statement knowing full well it was false and submitted they could not rely on a 'qualified privilege' defence to justify it. 'The Respondents’ malice may also be inferred from the gratuitous, disproportionate and excessive nature of the Joint Statement, which did not confine itself to contesting allegations ... or undermining the opinions expressed by Dr Shuey as reported in the Herald Sun,' Mr Meuleman's lawyers submitted. 'But instead took improper advantage of the occasion to tar the Applicant and anyone who considered there were legitimate concerns and questions remaining about the cause of the Collision and its investigation by the Police.' Ryan Meuleman, also known as the 'Bike Boy', after he was allegedly hit by the Andrews vehicleThe court was provided a list of alleged facts supporting claims the Andrews knew, or ought to have known, at the time of the statement's publication because extensive details had been disclosed to them during Mr Meuleman’s earlier Supreme Court proceeding against his former lawyers, Slater and Gordon.In 2024, Mr Meuleman settled with Slater and Gordon, alleging his former lawyers failed to properly investigate the crash and pressured him to take an $80,000 compensation settlement from the Transport Accident Commission and sign a non-disclosure agreement. Mr Meuleman's team claimed the Andrews were aware of multiple serious flaws in the 2013 Victoria Police investigation into the crash. Those alleged flaws include Victoria Police's failure to conduct preliminary breath tests on either Catherine or Dan Andrews. The court was provided a series of 'facts' supposedly known by the Andrews before the statement was made. Among them are claims Andrews’ SUV was moved from the scene by the former Premier before any forensic examination, and a failure by the attending officers to notify the Major Collision Investigation Unit. Lawyers argued medical records and photographs of the damaged vehicle were consistent with Mr Meuleman's claims he was struck on his left side by a turning vehicle. Andrews told media at the time their car had been 'T-boned' by the teenager. Lawyers for Ryan Meuleman say these crash photos support his version of events Dan Andrews claimed Ryan Meuleman 'T-boned' their vehicle, but his lawyers say the crash damage doesn't add up with that assertion 'The next thing we know, one of the most sickening, awful things that I have ever experienced happens,' Andrews said at the time.'A young man on a bike ploughs into the side of the car. 'If he’d been driving a car and not riding a bike you would accurately describe it as he T-boned our car that is how you would properly describe it.'Mr Meuleman's lawyers argued Andrews' public statements were likely to cause serious harm to their client's reputation for honesty and integrity. They further alleged parts of the defence were 'improper, unjustifiable and lacking in bona fides'. Mr Meuleman's statement of claim alleges he offered to settle the defamation action in September for $50,000 in damages, $7000 in costs and a public apology after sending the couple a concerns notice.However, Andrews' defence claims Mr Meuleman sent his first concerns notice in February 2025 and demanded $550,000.The Andrews claim a group has assisted Meuleman in their fight, including by applying public and political pressure and causing reputational damage since 2022. Victoria's Anti-Corruption Commission IBAC investigated the conduct of Victoria Police following the crash after the officers who responded to a Triple Zero call failed to breathalyse Catherine Andrews at the scene contrary to protocol, but cleared officers of any wrongdoing.
