Reporter’s lost recording sends Victorian opposition scurrying

The scandal that has embroiled Victorian opposition leader Daniel Andrews started at Labor's May state conference, when Fairfax journalist Farrah Tomazin lost her Dictaphone.

The device was discovered days later at Labor's Docklands headquarters, where assistant state secretary Kosmos Samaras listened to its contents.

A conversation between former Premier Ted Baillieu and Ms Tomazin was copied onto a memory stick, and taken by Mr Andrews' senior media adviser Chris Reilly to the opposition leader's chief of staff, John McLindon.

McLindon quickly convened a meeting with Labor's State Secretary Noah Carrol and Samaras, where the group listened to the conversation.

It is understood they sought legal advice before a decision was made to destroy the Dictaphone by removing the hard drive and chopping it up.

Mr Andrews has conceded the recorder should have been returned, but said he was kept in the dark.

"I had absolutely no involvement in this matter, but I accept full responsibility for doing the very best I can to get the bottom of what's gone on, and that's what I've done," he said.

He has said he can't explain how the recording was emailed to hundreds of government members.

However, the Liberal government is pushing for answers.

Planning Minister Matthew Guy lashed out at Mr Andrews today.

"Daniel Andrews is conducting a cover up, a protection racket, in his own office," Mr Guy said.

The Labor Party has denied allegations the Dictaphone was stolen, but lawyers have said there may be a case and police are investigating.