Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews clashes with journalist over IBAC reports

Daniel Andrews has traded verbal blows with a journalist who questioned his response to an anti-corruption scandal.

Daniel Andrews has traded verbal blows with a journalist after he issued a statement about an anti-corruption probe.

The Victorian Premier made the comments during a press conference on Monday morning when he announced expanded maternal and child health services.

However, the focus firmly shifted when Mr Andrews began answering questions about an anti-corruption probe over his government’s grant to a Labor-aligned union in 2018.

“Seriously? You’re asking and answering the questions now,” the Premier quipped at The Age reporter Paul Sakkal.

“You should speak to IBAC about what I have or haven’t done and in relation to any matters that may or may not be before the courts, any injunctions that may or may not have been issued.

“What you and me can and can’t talk about, well, then you should have a check.”

“Do you know if your office contacted IBAC before the injunction?” Mr Sakkal asked.

When Mr Andrews said he wouldn’t comment because the matter was before the courts, the reporter retorted by telling the Premier that it’s “not in the courts”.

Premier Daniel Andrews is preparing for the election on November 26. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

“It’s very unusual that you can’t explain a statement that has your name on it, very unusual. I know you’ve issued it, (but) none of us understand it,” Mr Sakkal said.

Another journalist asked why the statement was vaguely worded.

“I’ve issued a statement, I’m not adding to that statement, so you can sit here all day if you want but I’m not adding to the statement,” Mr Andrews said.

He was pressed further why he would issue a statement “where the meaning of that statement is not clear”.

“I don’t think that’s what I’ve done, I’ve issued a statement it’s very clear,” Mr Andrews responded.

Last week, reports emerged the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) was investigating a $1.2m grant made to the Health Workers Union in October 2018.

It is the fourth probe the Victorian Premier has been linked to during his time in office.

Mr Andrews dismissed the reports, releasing a statement on Saturday claiming he acts “appropriately at all times and in all things”.

“Regardless of any smear, innuendo, or media reporting based on anonymous sources, the only IBAC matters I will comment on are those that are the subject of a final report – as is appropriate and has always been my position,” Mr Andrews said.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews was joined by his wife Catherine on the campaign trail last week. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“I act appropriately at all times and in all things.

“That is the oath I swore and I take it very seriously.”

The latest investigation is looking into funding awarded to the HWU ahead of the 2018 election.

It formed part of a multimillion-dollar package for the training of hospital staff against occupational violence that was announced a week before the government went into caretaker mode.

Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy labelled the Andrews government “mired in scandal corruption”.

“This is not the first, it’s not the second, it’s not the third, it is in fact the fourth time this government is being investigated by the anti-corruption commission,” Mr Guy said on Saturday, adding it was “unprecedented.”

IBAC investigations during Mr Andrews’ reign have concerned Victorian Labor’s employment of campaign organisers as casual electorate officers in 2014, a misuse of parliament’s budget known as “red shirts” that required Labor to repay $387,000, as well as a separate investigation into widespread branch stacking in Victorian Labor.

The Premier was cleared of involvement in the red shirts-related probe.

IBAC has also probed a pay deal and reform package the Andrews government negotiated with the United Firefighters Union. Its findings are yet to be released.

Another IBAC investigation involved a developer being probed into whether political donations and bribes were used to solicit favourable planning decisions in Melbourne’s southeast.

A draft report has been finalised but is the subject of court action.

Victorians head to the polls on November 26.