Proposed new body to target Victorian politicians behaving badly

Former politicians won’t be hauled before a parliamentary commission to investigate wrongdoing in a move the opposition says is like a “scheme” to try to protect Daniel Andrews.

Three commissioners would be responsible for investigating wrongdoing by MPs under the proposed integrity commission. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Former politicians won’t be hauled in front of a parliamentary integrity commission in a move the opposition claims appears to be a protection racket for former premier Daniel Andrews.

The Allan government on Tuesday announced three new commissioners would be given authority to investigate wrongdoing — including bullying and harassment complaints — against Victorian MPs.

Any person, including MPs, ministers, parliamentary secretaries and members of the public could make reports of misconduct.

That could include allegations of bullying, occupational violence or aggression, sexual harassment or victimisation at parliamentary workplaces.

However, the commission would have no coercive powers.

It would also be unable to probe taxpayer-funded staff of MPs such as electorate officers, falling short of the recommendation of a bipartisan working group put to government in 2021 that a commission cover all staff who work in parliament.

It also could not investigate complaints on policy matters, the opinions of MPs or private and personal matters.

Conduct by MPs that was subject to parliamentary privilege would also be off limits.

Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien says Victorians are ‘sick to death of dodgy politics’ but more information about the proposed commission is needed. Picture: David Crosling

Shadow Attorney-General Michael O’Brien said Victorians were “sick to death of dodgy politics” but said more information about the proposed commission was needed.

Mr O’Brien questioned the government’s timing to introduce the commission after five IBAC corruption reports within a 15 month period.

“I think it’s very telling the government is talking about any reforms not being retrospective,” he said.

“We do think it looks like a device, a scheme to try and protect the former premier.

“We have to be convinced that actually makes sense and is in the public interest.”

Asked whether three commissioners was needed, Mr O’Brien said: “Maybe it’s an indication of how much dodgy behaviour we’re seeing under this government that they think there is going to be a workload to sustain three commissioners”.

Victorian Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes says she doesn’t believe the commission will be a ‘toothless tiger’. Picture: David Geraghty

Ms Allan said the government had been working on the reforms for a year.

“This is important because we’ve got to move our integrity framework in this place to modern standards, to bring it into the 21st century, consistent with just about every other workplace in the state,” she said.

“We’ve got to have a more modern framework and at the heart of that is ensuring that there is a process to ensure that allegations of bad behaviour, bullying behaviour, workplace harassment — that can include sexual harassment — is done in a way that we make sure that there is a confidence for victims to report confidentially.”

Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes said she didn’t believe the commission would be a “toothless tiger”.

“It’s going to bring about good outcomes, cultural change and ensure that this is the best workplace that we can make it,” she said.

“I love working here. I want to make sure that everybody has a positive experience here, and if you don’t, you should be able to have an avenue to deal with that.”

The commissioners will ultimately be chosen by Ms Allan, but Opposition Leader John Pesutto said he should also have a say on who was chosen.

The Allan government is proposing a commission where anyone can make reports of MPs’ misconduct. Picture: Getty Images

The government on Monday night began consultation on the legislation it expects to introduce to parliament next year.

It comes eight years after a parliamentary integrity commission was flagged by the then Andrews government.

The proposed Parliamentary Integrity Commission Bill will implement seven recommendations from the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission and Victorian Ombudsman’s July 2022 report into Operation Watts, which probed branch stacking within the ALP.

It would also establish an ethics committee, improve mechanisms relating to public interest disclosures about MPs and enshrine the existing parliamentary integrity ­adviser in legislation.

Premier Jacinta Allan said: “We’re holding a thorough consultation process to ­ensure we achieve the highest standards of conduct and ­integrity of MPs in all aspects of their work for Victorians.”

The commission would have no coercive powers. Picture: Getty

The proposal would extend the scope of investigations to “any location or setting in which there is a substantial connection to the workplace” and could include work meetings at private premises.

It means allegations such as those levelled at exiled former Labor MP Will Fowles, who is the subject of an investigation by sex crimes detectives, could fall within the scope of the commission.

However the current proposal would not give the commission retrospective powers.

Former Labor MP Will Fowles. Picture: Mark Stewart

A colleague ­accused Mr Fowles of an ­assault at a hotel following a parliamentary sitting.

The parliament’s presiding officers dismissed calls to launch a formal investigation saying they were unable to investigate something that did not occur on the precinct.

In recent years whistleblowers have become increasingly vocal about a pattern of inappropriate behaviour in Victoria’s corridors of power.

Several female MPs have revealed they were sexually harassed at parliament.

Last month IBAC and the Ombudsman accused the government of dragging its feet on reforms since Operation Watts.

However, government sources insist the work has been done to ensure all recommendations are implemented.