Allan government scrambling after doubt raised over eligibility of Victoria’s new top cop from NZ

The Allan government will ram through an urgent amendment to ensure New Zealand crime fighter Mike Bush is eligible for the job.

Doubt has been cast over the appointment of new top cop Mike Bush in an embarrassment for the Allan government. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie

Doubt has been cast over the appointment of new top cop Mike Bush in a major embarrassment for the Allan government.

The government will on Thursday ram through an urgent amendment to ensure the New Zealand crime fighter is eligible for the job.

Treasurer Jaclyn Symes said there was concern that the changes were for “the avoidance of doubt” because Mr Bush is not an Australian citizen.

The move continues the ongoing drama around the Chief Commissioner role following the resignations of Shane Patton and Rick Nugent.

Despite the announcement of Mr Bush’s appointment earlier this month, Police Minister Anthony Carbines sprung the last minute amendment on the upper house late on Wednesday night to ensure Mr Bush can step into the position on June 27.

Ms Symes on Thursday said she was only made aware of the amendment last night.

“As leader of the house, it’s been brought to my attention that we are seeking to pass an urgent amendment today,” she said.

Despite the announcement of Mr Bush’s appointment earlier this month, Police Minister Anthony Carbines sprung the last minute amendment on the upper house late on Wednesday night. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie

“There is some common law principles that suggest that there might be an issue for appointing a Chief Commissioner that is not an Australian citizen, that is not definitive, but to ensure that there are no issues, no challenges, it’s something that we should fix.

“I’d expect all members of parliament to support that, given I think there’s broad support for the appointment.”

The Allan government will have to rush the changes through the lower house next sitting week, which leaves just 10 days before Mr Bush is due to begin.

The amendment to Victoria Police Act 2013 seeks to ensure that the Chief Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioners can be New Zealand citizens.

The amendments clarify that the positions, and those acting in the roles, must be an Australian citizen, permanent residents or a New Zealand citizen who has a special category visa or is entitled to one.

The proposed changes will make accommodations for the state’s new police chief after his predecessor spent just weeks in the role. Picture: NewsWire/Ian Currie

The proposed changes will make accommodations for the state’s new police chief after his predecessor spent just weeks in the role, and are the latest move to have the Allan government rushing to put out spot fires for the troubled force, which has seen three acting or chief commissioners leading it in as many months.

Opposition police spokesman David Southwick slammed the eleventh-hour amendment as “yet another bungle”.

“The Allan Labor Government has made a job offer before doing their due diligence,” he said.

“Now they’re scrambling to fix their mess and make sure he isn’t sent back to New Zealand. Hardly a warm welcome for our new Police Commissioner.”

The Herald Sun first revealed that Mr Bush would take over from Acting Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent, who spent just 41 days in the job before announcing his retirement amid a corruption probe.

Mr Nugent vacated the role on May 8, with Operations Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill stepping into the role of Acting Chief Commissioner until Mr Bush’s start date.

Just weeks before that, former chief commissioner Shane Patton was ousted by the Allan government after an abysmal no-confidence vote.

Deputy opposition upper house leader Evan Mulholland called the move “extraordinary”.

Speaking in parliament on Thursday, Mr Mullholland questioned why the government had not picked up on whether there was legal doubt over the appointment of Mr Bush earlier.

“We get told late last night after the house was adjourned that the government had this urgent amendment,” he said.

“Something is really wrong with this government if they can’t get the basics right.”

Premier Jacinta Allan said the legislation change was taken as an “abundance of caution”.

“It’s a very outdated law around the arrangements for only Australian citizens holding certain offices here in Victoria,” she said.

“It’s an archaic law and it’s also out of step with modern Victoria and the state we are today where we want to attract the best and brightest from around the world.

“Mike has chosen Victoria, we’ve chosen Mike.”

Ms Allan said Mr Bush is the best man for the job.

Originally published as Allan government scrambling after doubt raised over eligibility of Victoria’s new top cop from NZ