Labor staffers accused of interfering in probe into IBAC

The Opposition has accused Labor MPs and the premier’s staff of interfering in a probe into the state’s corruption watchdog.

A parliamentary probe into the state’s corruption watchdog has been labelled a sham, with the Opposition accusing Labor MPs and the premier’s staff of interfering in the independent process.

Victoria’s Integrity and Oversight Committee has been investigating the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission and how it handles witnesses after the suicide of a former Casey councillor.

The process became controversial after the public video feed was cut while the IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich was asked about Premier Daniel Andrews.

Commissioner Redlich later wrote to the committee with his own concerns about the inquiry and requested the opportunity to speak again.

The Opposition accused Labor MPs and Daniel Andrew’s staff of interfering in the independent process. Picture: David Crosling

Former chair Harriet Shing, now a Cabinet minister, faced a backlash for rejecting these issues and was accused of protecting the Andrews Government.

Now two Liberal MPs, Brad Rowswell and Kim Wells, have raised serious concerns about the investigation in a minority report that alleges political interference.

Minority reports are written by MPs who have a different view to the majority vote, with Labor controlling the numbers on the integrity committee.

In their findings, Mr Rowswell and Mr Wells said the witness welfare probe was flawed from the start.

“The stated intent of this inquiry and the process that ensued, including hearings, do not match,” they said.

“The recommendations contained within the committee report have been unreservedly affected by the limitations placed upon the inquiry process by Labor Government members of the Committee.

“The Committee did not hear from witnesses about their welfare during their involvement with Victorian integrity agencies.

“The Committee refused to acquiesce to a request for a private meeting with Commissioner Redlich in response to public allegations about individual matters.

Liberal MP Kim Wells.

Liberal MP Brad Rowswell. Picture: Wayne Taylor

“The Committee failed to achieve the expectations it set out for itself, but more importantly, it failed to fulfil its obligations to both the Parliament and people of Victoria.”

Parliamentary committees are expected to be separate from the political arm of the state government so that they can provide independent advice.

However Mr Rowswell and Mr Wells alleged the inquiry was influenced by the premier’s staff and that government MPs were told how to behave.

“Throughout the course of this inquiry, Opposition members have become aware of Labor Government members being directed by operatives within the Premier’s Private Office (PPO),” they said.

“Opposition members of this Committee believe that the work of the IOC should be removed from party politics, as the work of this Committee is undertaken on behalf of the Victorian Parliament and people.

“Members of the Committee have an obligation to the Parliament and not the PPO.

“Integrity is essential to the operation of this Committee. It is the view of Opposition members that Labor Government members of this Committee did not act with integrity during the course of this inquiry.”

The report also criticised Ms Shing for not allowing Commissioner Redlich to testify again.

“This calculated decision of the Chair was, in our view, an exercise of misguided authority that consequently raised broader concerns about the Chair’s handlings of the public inquiry,” they said.

“It is clear that it was never the Chair’s intention to engage IBAC in a further public or private hearing, opting for an invitation to provide a supplementary written submission only and avoiding the opportunity for direct engagement with Committee members.

“It was deeply disappointing and damaging for Labor Government members of the Committee to act in this way.

“These actions undermined the stated purpose of the inquiry and damaged the important role of the IOC, on behalf of the Parliament, to hold integrity agencies accountable and seek the truth.”

The minority report recommends that future MPs disclose interference by government offices and that the current committee rules be examined.

This would include more detail about why documents are confidential and allowing the head of integrity agencies to schedule meetings or presentations.

A government spokeswoman said Ms Shing was no longer in the committee.

“However, she has always conducted herself appropriately in any role she has held by keeping the work of committees confidential,” she said.

“The Integrity and Oversight Committee is completely independent from the Government and any suggestion otherwise is false.”