IBAC to not probe missing $8000 from Victorian nationals Morwell branch account.

FUNDS allegedly stolen from the Victorian Nationals won’t be investigated by the state’s corruption watchdog, with the matter back in police hands.

The Victorian Nationals leader Peter Walsh. Picture: AAP

ALLEGATIONS of stolen money from the Victorian Nationals will not be investigated by the state’s corruption watchdog.

The party revealed $8000 had been withdrawn from the Morwell branch bank account but was later returned in 2017.

The alleged theft and fraud had been found in an independent audit, carried out by the party late last year.

It is understood a cheque made out to an individual’s personal account had also raised alarm bells.

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The Nationals are not pointing fingers and have declined to comment until authorities have carried out their investigations.

The Herald Sun revealed the Victoria Police had referred matter involving the party’s Morwell branch to the independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, on March 7.

However, the IBAC confirmed today it is not within their jurisdiction.

“IBAC recently received information from Victoria Police concerning allegations of possible corrupt conduct in relation to theft from National Party accounts in Morwell,’’ according to the statement released today.

“IBAC assessed this information and has determined the allegations do not fall within its jurisdiction, and has advised Victoria Police of this decision.”

Victoria Police are investigating the issue.

Former Nationals MP and independent member for Morwell Russell Northe. Pictures Eugene Hyland

The latest development comes after revelations that Nationals Party former member Russell Northe — who is currently an independent MP in the seat of Morwell — had garnered attention in recent months after reports he owed an alleged total of $685,000 in personal loans to community and party members.

Nationals Leader Peter Walsh admitted he had loaned Mr Northe $30,000 in 2016, under a “handshake agreement”, which he had so far failed to pay back in full.

Mr Northe has previously denied any wrongdoing.

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