Anti-corruption watchdog will hold public hearings over allegations of misconduct involving V/Line, Metro
Major public transport contracts between V/Line, Metro and suppliers will be publicly examined over allegations of serious misconduct by the state’s corruption watchdog.
Victoria
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Major public transport contracts between V/Line, Metro and supplies will be publicly examined over allegations of serious misconduct by the state’s corruption watchdog.
The Independent Broad-based Anti Corruption Commission will hold hearings later this month probing procurement processes within V/Line and Metro.
Known as Operation Esperance, the investigation will look at alleged corruption around tendering, awarding and managing of major contracts within the two companies.
It comes after V/Line boss James Pinder and Metro Trains manager Peter Bollas were suspended from their roles following being questioned as part of the probe.
IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich AM, QC said the public examination would centre on whether senior public officers had improperly influenced these decisions.
“These public hearings will examine the integrity of the processes and management of certain major contracts between VLine, Metro and suppliers,” he said.
“The hearings will examine the effectiveness of controls associated with the proper delivery of essential services in the state’s public transport system during a time of critical importance to the health and wellbeing of Victorians.
“As part of IBAC’s focus on preventing corruption, the public hearings will also consider whether the current systems and controls are sufficient to protect the integrity of the tendering and procurement process, and examine potential systemic issues, including how organisational culture and practices may have contributed.”
Hearings will start on October 26 and will be streamed online because of coronavirus restrictions.
The V/Line board voted to suspend Mr Pinder after Transport Minister Ben Carroll was made aware of an investigation into the chief executive.
Mr Bollas was questioned not long after and was suspended by the metropolitan rail operator until further notice.
Earlier this year, IBAC released a public warning to state and local governments about corruption risks during times of emergency.
Millions of dollars in public funds have been spent responding quickly to the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting warnings about how contracts are chosen.
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