Corruption fears rife among Victorian MPs, new IBAC report reveals

Two thirds of Victorian MPs believe corruption is a problem among elected officials, the state’s anti-corruption watchdog has revealed.

Two thirds of MPs think corruption is a problem in Victoria, according to a new report by the state’s anti-corruption watchdog.

Findings from the Perceptions of Corruption Survey were published by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission on Tuesday.

The report found 61 per cent of surveyed MPs believe corruption to be a problem among elected officials, while almost three-quarters agreed some elected officials behaved inappropriately or unethically.

The online survey was sent to all Victorian MPs and councillors in May, with 159 people participating, including 28 MPs.

The survey showed that 73 per cent of councillors and 68 per cent of MPs believe corruption to be a problem in Victoria.

Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich has repeatedly raised concerns about the potential for corruption with the current political environment. Picture: AAP

Nepotism, breaches of professional boundaries, misuse of resources, and collusion were identified as the most common risks facing MPs and councillors.

“It was important to gather the views of Victoria’s elected representatives,” IBAC Executive Director Prevention and Communication Dr Linda Timothy said.

“It helps us to better target our corruption prevention, detection, and education efforts to address corruption risks and vulnerabilities across the whole public sector.”

Dr Timothy said the survey findings also revealed that some councillors and MPs were unclear when inappropriate behaviour became corruption.

“If our elected officials are unsure what corruption looks like, then it can go unreported,” Dr Timothy said.

Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich has repeatedly raised concerns about the potential for corruption with the current political environment.

Robert Redlich raised concerns about the the centralisation of power around Premier Daniel Andrews’ private office. Picture: Nicki Connolly

In particular he has raised concerns about the the centralisation of power around Premier Daniel Andrews’ private office he believed created an environment ripe for “soft corruption”.

But he warned IBAC’s framework meant it was powerless to investigate allegations of soft corruption that fell short of criminal conduct.

In April IBAC found “evidence of misconduct and improper influence” at the highest levels of the Andrews government.

A report following its Operation Daintree made 17 recommendations and called for sweeping changes to limit the powers of ministerial advisors.

It found that in 2018 the Department of Health and Human Services entered into a $1.2m contract with the Health Education Federation – an entity linked to the Health Workers Union – to provide occupational violence and aggression training to health workers.

However the contract was awarded without a competitive tender process and despite concerns by public servants who were improperly pressured by a senior ministerial adviser.

IBAC found the centralisation of power around the Premier’s Private Office (PPO) had allowed ministerial advisors to improperly thwart transparent government.