Premier Daniel Andrews says he ‘can’t recall’ any communications with UFU boss amid anti-corruption probe
Daniel Andrews deflected questions on the IBAC investigation into the firefighters deal and his communications with UFU boss Peter Marshall.
Victoria
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Premier Daniel Andrews says he “can’t recall” whether he had ever exchanged texts with United Firefighters Union boss Peter Marshall.
The Premier faced intense questioning on Thursday after it emerged he was being investigated by an anti-corruption probe examining the government’s dealings with the UFU in relation to a controversial fire services merger and pay deal.
Mr Andrews repeatedly said any queries should be directed to the investigating body, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC).
He also refused to explain why he was able to clarify in 2019 that he was not under investigation by IBAC, but could not comment this week on whether he was.
“As I’ve said yesterday, and I’ve said again today and I will say it as many times as I need to because the answer won’t change, if you want to know what IBAC is doing, who they are talking to about, what, when, where, all those things, then you need to go and speak to them,” Mr Andrews said.
When asked if he had ever had any text exchanges with Mr Marshall, the Premier said: “I can’t recall”.
Mr Andrews also refused to be drawn on whether Gladys Berejiklian had been wrong to stand down as premier last week as it was revealed she was a person of interest in a NSW anti-corruption probe.
The Herald Sun revealed in 2019 IBAC had launched a probe into the government’s dealings with the UFU from 2014, with volunteers saying they had been rendered second-class citizens as a result of the merger.
Of central importance to the probe are claims made by Mr Marshall on radio in 2018 that he had a secret deal with the government, when he also refused to rule out having a recording of the Premier.
Mr Marshall declined to comment.
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