IBAC commissioner warns of the corruption risks associated with donations and lobbying

Victorian political parties are on notice as new political laws aimed at increasing transparency are put to the test.

Political parties are being warned of the corruption risks associated with donations and lobbying. Picture: AAP

The state’s corruption watchdog has put Victorian political parties on notice ahead of November’s election.

Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission commissioner Robert Redlich has written to all parties warning of the corruption risks associated with donations and lobbying.

“Individual candidates and political parties attract supporters from specific community interest groups and retain them by building strong relationships and crafting policies to align with their supporters’ interests,” he wrote.

“However, donations and lobbying can be used to gain privileged access to decision-makers within a party by elevating a donor’s or lobbyist’s profile.”

The corruption watchdog has issued a warning over donations and lobbying.

Robert Redlich has written to all parties warning of the corruption risks.

New political laws aimed at increasing transparency will be tested for the first time at this year’s election.

“It is essential for candidates to remain vigilant and be aware of the approaches that can be used by people and organisations, either from the public or private sector, to improperly influence decisions through lobbying, pressure, favours and gifts,” Mr Redlich said.

“Candidates must be able to recognise this as corruption.”

The letter also warned against misusing IBAC’s complaints process and publicising any complaints for the purpose of political gains.

“The public airing of unsubstantiated allegations may adversely affect IBAC’s ability to investigate a complaint, compromise the fair hearing of individuals and damage the reputation of a person alleged to have engaged in corrupt conduct,” Mr Redlich said.

“There is also a risk that publicising unsubstantiated allegations will be perceived as being motivated by political gain.

“All complaints made to IBAC are assessed in line with the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Act 2011 and it is important to allow this process to occur.”

The Victorian Electoral Commission is currently probing opposition leader Matthew Guy’s involvement in a proposed scheme in which his now-former chief of staff Mitch Catlin asked a billionaire donor for monthly payments to his private marketing business.

Mr Guy has been asked to produce documents relating to the proposal, after leaked emails were published showing Mr Catlin had drawn up a contract suggesting $100,000 in payments to his marketing business.

The contract was not signed, with the chief of staff resigning after the revelations and Labor referring the matter to integrity agencies.