Andrews government starts search for new IBAC chief to fill $500k a year role

The Andrews government has formally started its search for a new IBAC commissioner, after former chief Robert Redlich finished up in the role.

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich sent an explosive letter before finishing up in the role. Now the Andrews government is searching for a new chief.

The Andrews government has formally started its search for a new anti-corruption commissioner, four months after former chief Robert Redlich finished up in the role.

A job advertisement for a new commissioner of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) was listed by the government on job hunting website Seek this weekend.

The role is listed as paying an annual salary of between $384,541 and $511,862.

The job application states that the successful applicant will work closely with the CEO, deputy commissioners and the executive team to deliver IBAC’s mandate.

The Andrews government is searching for a new IBAC chief, offering up to $511,000.

“As Commissioner of Victoria’s anti-corruption and police oversight agency, the role demands the highest standards of ethical behaviour, including honesty, fairness, probity, transparency and accountability,” the job description reads.

The role of IBAC is to prevent and expose public sector corruption and police misconduct, with its jurisdiction spanning state and local government, police, parliament and the judiciary.

According to the job advertisement, the successful candidate will have demonstrated experience in public sector leadership and management, as well as in the conduct of inquiries, investigations and disciplinary matters associated with the public sector and police force.

They must also be able to show integrity, ethical standards and a strong judgment.

Applicants for the role must be admitted to the legal practice, be enrolled as a legal practitioner of the High Court for more than years, or be a current or former judge of the High Court, Federal Court or Supreme Court.

The new commissioner of IBAC would have to have the highest standards of ethical behaviour, the advertisement reads.

Mr Redlich finished up in the role in December last year after a five-year term. His former deputy Stephen Farrow is covering the role on an interim basis.

Last month, the Herald Sun revealed that Mr Redlich had written an explosive letter to the parliament’s presiding officers, where he accused the Andrews government of revenge attacks in retaliation for a series of probes into its dealings.

The letter included claims that government MPs involved in the powerful Integrity and Oversight Committee had instructed an independent consultant to “dig up dirt” on IBAC and that this had come after coverage of multiple government probes by the watchdog.

Premier Daniel Andrews has denied that accusation as “simply wrong” but has also repeatedly claimed he had not seen the letter.