Minister Martin Foley linked to controversial developer
Victorian minister Martin Foley has been linked to controversial, Ferrari-loving developer John Woodman who is at the centre of an IBAC probe into donations and planning decisions.
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Victorian minister Martin Foley has been linked to controversial developer John Woodman, with the state opposition demanding an immediate investigation.
Liberal MP James Newbury has today written to Premier Daniel Andrews calling for an immediate investigation amid claims Mr Woodman operates his business out of a building part owned by Mr Foley.
Mr Newbury said Australian Securities and Investments Commission records showed Mr Foley had a fifty per cent stake in Watsons Properties Pty Ltd.
That company owned Courtside Pty Ltd, which owns the commercial property in Mornington out of which Woodman operates his business, Watsons Pty Ltd.
Mr Newbury said Mr Foley had failed to either declare his shareholding in Watsons Properties, or the interest in the Mornington property.
“In addition to the material disclosures, given that John Woodman is the subject of an IBAC inquiry, the Code of Conduct for Ministers requires that Ministers be conscious of actual or potential conflicts of interest and declare them. No public statement has been made to that effect,” he said.
Ferrari-loving developer Mr Woodman has been at the centre of an IBAC probe into donations and planning decisions.
Mr Woodman has been accused of paying Casey councillors Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett a total of $1.2 million in order to get favourable planning outcomes.
It has been revealed he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on donations to political candidates and MPs.
The IBAC probe focused on three developments in Casey in Melbourne’s outer southeast, including Cranbourne West land rezoning and a major development called the Pavilion estate.
The Herald Sun revealed Mr Woodman’s reach extended to Premier Daniel Andrews, with whom he dined at swanky Chinese restaurant the Flower Drum.
Premier Daniel Andrews said Mr Foley had made all the necessary declarations.
“I believe he has declared all of his interests and holdings in full accordance with the act,” he said.
“He has declared all of his holdings, all of this interets, all of his affairs.”
Mr Foley’s office has been contacted for comment.
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