Premier Daniel Andrews refuses to answer questions about red shirts rort probe
PREMIER Daniel Andrews has repeatedly refused to detail why his MPs are defying police requests for interviews as they probe Labor’s red shirts rort. See the full list of the questions he wouldn’t answer.
Victoria State Election
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria State Election. Followed categories will be added to My News.
PREMIER Daniel Andrews has repeatedly refused to detail why his MPs are defying police requests for interviews as they probe Labor’s red shirts rort.
Mr Andrews today faced more than a dozen questions on the police investigation, but attempted to bat most away by claiming it would be “inappropriate” to comment.
He refused to say why MPs were knocking back police requests for interviews, or whether he had personally instructed them not to co-operate with the investigation.
NEW TWIST IN RED SHIRTS SCANDAL AS LABOR MPS DEFY POLICE
POLICE REQUEST INTERVIEWS WITH LABOR MPS OVER RORTS
DAN DODGES QUESTIONS OVER POLICE PROBE
In July, the day after police confirmed they would launch a formal probe, Mr Andrews said “everybody should co-operate and everybody will”.
Today he remained tight-lipped on what had changed but did concede that “we are a long way on from that”.
“I stand by all the comments I make over time, that is part of the process,” he said.
“I’ll tell you what’s not going to change: you can ask as many questions on this as you want to — that’s what these press conferences are about — but my answer won’t change.
“It is not appropriate for me to run a commentary in relation to an ongoing matter.”
Asked whether voters had the right to know these details before next month’s election, Mr Andrews again would not comment.
But he would say that refusing interviews was not a tactic to delay the investigation until after Victoria votes and that the probe would not hurt Labor’s chances at the ballot box.
WHAT THE PREMIER WAS ASKED AND HOW HE ANSWERED
Q: Why won’t your MPs agree to police interviews as part of their rorts investigation?
A: “As you know, this is an ongoing matter and it is just completely inappropriate for me to offer any comment at all.”
Q: You did comment in July, saying that everyone should and will co-operate with police. Why have you now changed that?
A: “As I said to you, this is an ongoing matter and it’s just not appropriate for me to run a commentary on it.”
Q: Is there a risk of a public perception that government MPs and Ministers are not co-operating?
A: “I’ll leave that for others to make their own judgments. What I am interested in doing, and am only concerned about, is making sure I don’t make commentary over the top of an ongoing matter. That’s the appropriate thing to do.”
Q: It’s understandable you don’t want to prejudice the investigation but saying why those Ministers won’t talk to police in no way prejudices that. You are free to say that.
A: “No, me running a commentary on an ongoing matter is simply not an appropriate thing to do.”
Q: Have you instructed any MPs not to co-operate?
A: “It is not appropriate no matter how we … and I understand why you ask the questions, but I’m not going to be drawn into doing exactly what I’ve said to you I think is inappropriate — that is to be commenting. As much as I might like to answer some of those questions, I don’t think it is appropriate for me to be doing that.”
Q: Do you think it’s appropriate that voters know this information, and can hear why Labor MPs aren’t co-operating, before the election?
A: “I will leave it to Victoria Police to provide comment to you and anyone else they think is appropriate in relation to the work that they are doing. It is simply not appropriate or acceptable for me to be running a commentary over the top of what is an ongoing matter.”
Q: Why in July then did you say that people should and would co-operate if they are now not co-operating?
A: “I was asked the question, I answered the question. This matter is ongoing and I think I’ve dealt with the issues you’ve raised. I understand why you’ve raised the questions but I just say to you, it would be inappropriate for me to be commenting on this. These are the answers I provided to you when last you asked me about these matters and my position will not change.”
Q: Do you stand by your July comment that people should and would co-operate?
A: “I stand by all the comments I make over time, that is part of the process.”
Q: So what’s changed between now and July?
A: “I’ll tell you what’s not going to change — you can ask as many questions on this as you want to — that’s what these press conferences are about — but my answer won’t change. It is not appropriate for me to run a commentary in relation to an ongoing matter.”
Q: It was ongoing at the time (of your July comments). It was the day after police announced they were formally investigating. So why if you could comment then can you not comment now?
A: “We are a long way on from that. This is an ongoing matter and again, I think we’ve covered the same ground a few different ways. With the greatest of respect, my answer is not going to change. It is not appropriate for me to run a commentary on matters that are on going.”
Q: Is this an attempt to hold this up until after the election?
A: “No.”
Q: Are you worried that this is going to affect your chances of being re-elected?
A: “No, we are putting a positive and optimistic plan that’s all about getting things done, providing a really clear choice to voters. You can have cuts and closures and an outfit that’s all about big companies or you can stick with Labor and we will keep building, keep investing in the infrastructure that we need, in road and rail, hospitals and schools and tackling the big issues — big and tough issues — like how we build a new mental health system that can change lives and save lives …”
Q: Are you at all worried that police will call your bluff and arrest MPs in the same way that they did field organisers?
A: “That is entirely a matter for them and it would be inappropriate for me to be commenting on what is an ongoing matter.”
MORE HERALD SUN STORIES:
Libs retain Ripon after thriller re-count
The Liberals appear to have held on to their most marginal seat — but only just. This is how many votes separated MP Louise Stalety and Labor candidate Sarah De Santis.
O’Brien set to lead shattered Liberals
Former state treasurer Michael O’Brien appears set to take leadership of the Victorian Liberals. It comes after a 71-year-old retired naval officer who has never learnt to drive ended the leadership hopes of John Pesutto.