Couple shot at Inflation nightclub erotic party set to gain millions in secret deal
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton has said “the police acted in self-defence” when they stormed King St nightclub Inflation in 2017 and opened fire but the state’s corruption watchdog has slammed police over the shooting.
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Victoria’s corruption watchdog has slammed Victoria Police for failing to properly examine officers involved in a Melbourne nightclub shooting.
Police stormed Inflation nightclub in King St in 2017 and shot Zita Sukys and Dale Ewins while the couple was engaged in a sex act during a dress-up party.
The bungled shooting resulted in the pair reaching a multimillion-dollar settlement with police on Wednesday.
But in a damning review, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commissioner Robert Redlich QC said on Thursday police did not investigate officers who opened fire.
“Victoria Police only investigated the conduct of the patrons involved in this incident, and not the actions and conduct of police officers,” Mr Redlich said.
“The failure of Victoria Police to review police conduct could result in potential ongoing risks to members of the public and Victoria Police.”
Mr Redlich’s damning appraisal came as Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton confirmed officers involved in the incident had not been suspended or reprimanded.
After Wednesday’s settlement, police apologised to Ms Sukys but not Mr Ewins.
Mr Patton said they had not said sorry to Mr Ewins because: “The circumstances are as such that the finding … is that the police acted in self-defence.” Professional Standards Command would reopen the investigation, he said.
Mr Patton said police would not disclose how much was paid in compensation to the pair, only that it was a “significant figure”.
He did not know how much the force had spent on legal costs before the case was dropped by Ms Sukys and Mr Ewins.
Meanwhile, Inflation nightclub owner Martha Tsamis has confirmed she had received a settlement over the shooting.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said on Thursday she didn’t approve the multimillion-dollar payments, rather Victoria Police issued the payouts through insurance.
Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien said the case highlighted the need for the anti-corruption watchdog to have greater powers and resources.
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He said a bipartisan parliamentary report unanimously recommended stronger powers for IBAC, with a greater focus on police misconduct and a greater focus on political misconduct.
“Victorians deserve and expect a clean political system and the most professional police force in Australia,” he said.