Premier Daniel Andrews dined with John Woodman, director at centre of corruption probe
The Ferrari-driving property developer at the centre of an explosive anti-corruption inquiry has been seen dining at a top Chinese restaurant in Melbourne with Premier Daniel Andrews on at least two occasions, with the most recent event hosted by a Labor fundraising entity.
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Premier Daniel Andrews has dined at least twice at upmarket Melbourne Chinese restaurant the Flower Drum with Ferrari-driving developer John Woodman — the man at the centre of an explosive anti-corruption inquiry.
The most recent event was hosted by Labor fundraising entity Progressive Business in 2017, to discuss Mr Woodman’s support for the Premier’s Monash Children’s Hospital Golf Day at the exclusive Sandhurst Golf Course in Melbourne’s southeast.
It was held in the private dining area of the swanky restaurant, famed for its Peking duck and where a wagyu porterhouse steak costs $120.
When asked about the event, a spokeswoman for Mr Andrews said he had “attended a number of different Progressive Business events and political fundraisers where Mr Woodman has been present”.
They include multiple functions at the Flower Drum — for decades a haven for politicians and business schmoozers — going back as far as when Mr Andrews was in Opposition.
The 2017 lunch also included Mr Woodman’s lobbyist, former Progressive Business president Philip Staindl. Mr Woodman confirmed the lunch but declined further comment.
The Herald Sun has learned of other major Labor fundraisers involving Mr Woodman leading up to the state election, including one in late November featuring Treasurer Tim Pallas at the Builders Arms in Fitzroy.
Mr Woodman has spent the past fortnight being grilled by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission over $1.2 million in payments he made to Casey councillors Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett.
He denies that the cash was in exchange for support for projects in which he had an interest.
This week, however, another of Mr Woodman’s lobbyists — former state Liberal MP Lorraine Wreford — conceded that payments she couriered from Mr Woodman to Cr Aziz were bribes.
A tearful Ms Wreford said she was uncomfortable about handing over the wads of cash, but felt “trapped” between the two.
The saga has threatened to engulf both sides of politics, due to the spotlight now being thrown on lavish donations from Mr Woodman to major political parties. The brash businessman, a director of Watsons developers, is described by some as a colourful “Richard Branson-type character”.
This week IBAC heard of donations to more than half a dozen Labor MPs, including Deputy Premier James Merlino and Jobs Minister Martin Pakula, as the developer sought to increase his largesse to the election favourites.
Mr Woodman has been a leading figure in Melbourne’s southeast, where Mr Andrews’ factional powerbase is strongest, for 20 years.
Part of the reason he had regular access to government MPs at events was because he coughed up tens of thousands of dollars to be a platinum member of Progressive Business.
He has also splurged money on the Liberal Party, including Cr Ablett, who ran for the seat of Cranbourne in 2010 and 2014 but denies payments he accepted were bribes.
Cr Aziz also denies being corrupted by cash from Mr Woodman.
Mr Andrews recently confirmed he had attended a large-scale event at a Greek restaurant in Kew last year with Mr Woodman, and that he had met the controversial figure.
The Herald Sun requested a list of the events attended by both men, and asked Progressive
Business if Mr Woodman remained a member after allegations made at the IBAC hearings.
The government has insisted its dealings with him are all above board, and Mr Andrews said this week all donations were declared in accordance with the law.
Planning Minister Richard Wynne told state parliament this week that ex-Cranbourne MP Jude Perera and ex-Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley had approached him about the controversial land rezoning in Cranbourne West — an IBAC focus.
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Ms Graley, Mr Perera and his successor in Cranbourne, Pauline Richards, all received generous donations from Mr Woodman.
Mr Wynne said the approaches by Mr Perera and Ms Graley were simply about process and timing of decisions. Ms Richards had not raised the matter.
Mr Perera said he was not influenced by Mr Woodman’s donations, and the Herald Sun was unable to contact Ms Graley.