Robert Redlich faces questions by Labor MPs over bullying claims and secret payouts

Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich has been grilled by Labor MPs but the opposition says the orchestrated attack was “disturbing” and a “dark day for democracy”.

Labor MPs have launched an extraordinary attack on Victoria’s former corruption watchdog, months after a secret letter surfaced claiming government MPs were told to dig up dirt to undermine the agency.

Former head of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) Robert Redlich was hit with a barrage of questions by Labor MPs over bullying claims and secret payouts when he fronted the state’s integrity and oversight committee on Monday.

His appearance at the committee came after a secret letter, published exclusively by the Herald Sun, to parliament in December alleging that government MPs hired consultants to “dig up dirt” on Redlich and the IBAC to discredit the agency.

Labor MPs on the oversight committee, including Ryan Batchelor, Jackson Taylor and Belinda Wilson, peppered Mr Redlich with questions about bullying and secret non-disclosure payouts.

Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich. Picture: AAP

Mr Batchelor, the Labor MP for the Southern Metropolitan Region asked about the annual staff survey, which identified 14 per cent of staff had been bullied in the last 12 months.

And whether there was a “culture of fear” at the agency under the former commissioner, which Mr Redlich denied.

Another Labor MP demanded to know if the former commissioner or IBAC members had ever leaked information of a “sensitive nature”, or whether Mr Redlich had secretly briefed journalists, which Mr Redlich also denied.

The MPs also asked him to provide details of “ex-gratia” payments that Mr Redlich said he had no knowledge of.

Ms Wilson, the Member for Narre Warren North, outright asked Mr Redlich – who finished his term at the agency seven months ago – whether he had bullied anyone while he was commissioner.

“Did you ever bully anyone as the IBAC Commissioner, any of your staff?” she said.

Member for Narre Warren North Belinda Wilson. Picture: Josie Hayden

Mr Redlich responded: “I would like to think that bullying is not any part of my personality, but it’s a value judgment, isn’t it? I hope not.”

The barrage of questions came after a leaked letter that was sent to parliament’s presiding officers in December revealed Mr Redlich had concerns government MPs had been instructed to launch revenge attacks on IBAC in the committee hearings, in retaliation for a series of probes into the state’s dealings.

“What is most concerning is that it appears that the Chair and majority of the IOC Audit Sub-Committee seemed intent on casting IBAC in a negative light for what we can only assume were political reasons relating to the work undertaken by IBAC,” the letter stated.

Mr Redlich has carried out several scathing investigations on the government in recent years and has called for the agency to be given more powers.

Jackson Taylor is one of the Labor MPs on the oversight committee. Picture: AAP

In April the IBAC released a damning report following a secret probe into the Andrews government, known as Operation Daintree which found how improper influence compromised a $1.2m contract awarded to the Health Education Federation, a division of the Health Workers Union, by Andrews government advisers.

A month earlier in March, after the secret letter had come to light, the state opposition pushed parliament to setup a special committee to investigate the explosive claims.

This was quashed at the eleventh hour with crossbenchers instead brokering a deal to rejig the oversight committee, so the government no longer held a majority.

Appearing before the inquiry yesterday, Mr Redlich raised concerns about corruption and misconduct of the government, which he said was more likely to continue the longer one party stayed in power.

He warned proper oversight of government decisions was necessary to ensure political integrity.

Following the hearing, Opposition Leader John Pesutto lashed out at the Labor orchestrated attack on Mr Redlich labelling it as “disturbing”.

“Today’s a dark day for Victorian democracy,” he said.

“What we’ve seen in the integrity and oversight committee today will appal all Victorians who care about good standards of government and principled leadership in our state.

“We saw Robert Redlich – a distinguished Victorian former judge – give scathing evidence about Premier Daniel Andrews and his misconduct in office. But we also saw something that was very troubling, if not disturbing. That Daniel Andrews’ own caucus minions, four of them, attack Robert Redlich.

“What today’s performance by Labor members acting on instructions from Daniel Andrews tells us, is that if in Victoria, you stand up and do the right thing, Daniel Andrews and his government will attack you.”

A Victorian government spokesmn said: “We’ve delivered stronger powers and record funding to support IBAC in recognition of the importance of transparency and integrity in government”.