IBAC investigating whistleblower’s claims about red shirts rort

Daniel Andrews could be dragged into a fifth anti-corruption inquiry, sparking criticism from Matthew Guy that it would be “unprecedented in our state’s history”.

Daniel Andrews faces the prospect of becoming ­embroiled in a fifth anti-corruption inquiry with a fresh probe being considered into the government’s red shirts election rort of 2014.

The Herald Sun can reveal Independent Broadbased Anti-corruption Commission investigators are actively probing a new complaint made by a key police whistleblower in June.

It is understood investigators may have already ­approached new witnesses during their assessment and review stage and that police are central to inquiries.

It could prompt a wholesale investigation into an alleged cover-up separate to any political wrongdoing if the new ­inquiry focuses on the initial police investigation.

In an explosive 29-page statement lodged with IBAC in June, the whistleblower claimed police were ­actively blocked from doing their jobs to help Mr Andrews win the 2018 election.

Among the fresh lines of ­inquiry is any involvement by police command.

Other matters of interest are understood to include the decision to appoint a senior police officer to liaise with Labor MPs suspected of ­impropriety.

Daniel Andrews is facing the prospect of becoming embroiled in a fifth anti-corruption inquiry.

The police whistleblower, a veteran of 33 years, said they were directly involved in the 2018 investigation, arrest of suspects and interviews.

In a formal statement of complaint he told the IBAC police were ordered to ignore normal police procedures while investigating the rort.

He has suggested the IBAC examine Victoria Police work diaries, emails, investigation logs and operation orders he believes would point to key ­decisions.

“There needs to be an investigation into how the red shirts investigation was conducted by Victoria Police command,” they wrote.

“The actions of the suspect Labor MPs in the red shirts rort have never been properly investigated due to the interference and obstruction of the fraud and extortion squad ­investigators by senior police in police command.

“It was a political job, meaning that this criminal investigation had a high level of interest from the public and the media.

“I believe that the interference and obstruction of the police investigation was likely done for political reasons and for personal reward, such as promotions.”

The scheme saw almost $388,000 in taxpayers’ money spent on part-paying electorate staff to campaign for the 2014 election.

Opposition leader Matthew Guy said Victorian voters had a clear choice if they wanted to reinstate integrity in politics.

“If people are concerned with integrity and honesty in government, they have a choice between the Liberals and Nationals – who are going to put an extra $20 million into the corruption commission and extra money to the Ombudsman – or the Labor government who has got not one, not two, not three, definitely four, maybe five anti-corruption investigations into them,” he said.

“What kind of government do we have in Victoria when you’ve got a Premier whose government is under investigation by the corruption committee potentially five times.

“That is unprecedented in our state’s history.”

Almost two dozen MPs, including several ministers, were embroiled in the scheme that misused taxpayer dollars for political purposes.

An initial police investigation concluded in October 2019 with police announcing they would not pursue charges.

Former Labor minister Adem Somyurek has accused the Premier of being personally involved in the rort.

However in her latest investigation into the matter Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass said there was no evidence to find Andrews designed the scheme.

Rather, evidence showed he was “involved and immersed in the Red Shirts campaign in 2014, as he necessarily would have been as party leader.”

A bid to reopen the police investigation earlier this year was rejected because of a lack of new information.

The matter has been twice probed by the Ombudsman.

The Herald Sun understands IBAC is still assessing the matter, five months since the police whistleblower lodged their formal complaint.

If IBAC decides to launch a formal investigation into the matter it would be the fifth corruption probe involving Mr Andrews and his government.

Speaking on the campaign trail on Wednesday, Mr Andrews said he did not know about the matter when asked if he had been contacted by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.

“Firstly on the broader issue, I don’t really know what you’re talking about,” he said.

“Secondly, who IBAC have spoken to or not spoken to is a matter for IBAC.

“On the broader issue that’s on the front page of the paper today, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Mr Andrews said it was “a matter for others” whether the saga had been explored enough already.

“The give away here is in the name (IBAC),” he said.

“They’re independent, go and have a chat with them.”