Premier Daniel Andrews ducks inquiry into Labor’s rorts-for-votes scheme

PREMIER Daniel Andrews has refused to appear before a parliamentary inquiry into the Labor Party’s rorts-for-votes scheme, spurring accusations he is hiding from the truth.

PREMIER Daniel Andrews says he will not front a parliamentary inquiry into Labor’s rorts-for-votes scheme because it would be a political shouting match.

Despite declaring in 2015 that he took responsibility for everything that happened under his leadership of the Labor Party, Mr Andrews has dodged all formal probes into the saga so far.

LABOR MP RAISED RORTS-FOR-VOTES SCHEME WORRIES WITH DANIEL ANDREWS

ANDREWS REJECTED OMBUDSMAN INVITATION OVER RORTS-FOR-VOTES SCHEME

In March, Ombudsman Deborah Glass handed down her report into the scheme, which saw 21 Labor MPs hire taxpayer-funded staff in 2014 who were used to campaign full-time for the ALP.

Ms Glass described it as “wrong” and an “artifice” des­igned to boost Labor’s campaign coffers — with almost $388,000 rorted and later paid back by the ALP.

Premier Daniel Andrews says he does not have to appear before the parliamentary inquiry into the party’s election scandal. Picture: Chloe Smith

PUBLIC MAY GET TO SEE PART OF THE PROBE INTO LABOR MPS’ $388K RORT

A Privileges Committee ­inquiry heard from Ms Glass last week, who revealed Mr Andrews had rejected a req­uest for interview.

The Premier said because he was a Lower House MP, and the Ombudsman’s inquiry originated from an Upper House motion, he should not provide evidence.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said Mr Andrews was hiding from the truth.

“He won’t answer to the Ombudsman, he won’t answer to the Parliament. Daniel Andrews doesn’t want to answer to anyone when it comes to rorting, principally because he can’t get his story straight,” Mr Guy said.