Former Labor MP identified as part of 'Fab Four' friends of allegedly corrupt developer

Former Labor MP Judith Graley has denied being “used” by allegedly corrupt developer John Woodman despite being dubbed one the “fab four” of MPs and former MPs he expected would champion his interests.

Ms Graley, the MP for Narre Warren South until the 2018 election was questioned on Wednesday as part of the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission’s investigation of allegedly crooked land deals centred on the City of Casey.

Former Labor MP Judith Graley faces IBAC questioning on WednesdayCredit: The Age

Central to the inquiry is Mr Woodman's manipulation of the planning system, including alleged bribes paid to councillors and donations to MPs as he pushed for a rezoning of land from industrial to residential in Cranbourne West that was potentially worth $150 million to his client Leighton and others.

IBAC has heard how Ms Graley was viewed by Mr Woodman and his team including lobbyist Phil Staindl, as a key ally in the rezoning campaign and as a “channel” into the office of planning minister, Richard Wynne.

On Wednesday Ms Graley confirmed speaking directly to Mr Wynne on one occasion and other members of his staff on multiple occasions, about the rezoning.

Secretly recorded telephone conversations and seized documents reveal that Mr Woodman and Mr Staindl met regularly with Ms Graley, relied on her for information from the minister’s office, and even offered her a job as she prepared to retire from parliament in late 2018.

The anti-corruption commission hearings into planner and developer John Woodman will start again on Monday.Credit: Justin McManus

While she considered the offer, Ms Graley did not ultimately take it up.

“As an astute politician it must have crossed your mind that they [the Woodman team] were seeking to use you,” IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich QC put to the former MP.

However, Ms Graley said she was not used and that she actively supported the Cranbourne West rezoning because of community angst about the prospect of industry being developed near housing. However as The Sunday Age revealed in November 2018, the key community lobby the Save Cranbourne West Residents Action Group was funded by Mr Woodman’s client, Leighton.

Ms Graley told the hearing she had been unaware of the financing of the group at the time she pushed for the rezoning which was derailed by The Sunday Age articles.

Evidence on Wednesday included an email from Mr Woodman to lobbyist Phil Staindl in March 2015 in which he talks about a “fab four” supporting the rezoning: Ms Graley, then Cranbourne MP Jude Perera, former Labor planning spokesman Brian Tee and someone named Martin. Counsel assisting IBAC Michael Tovey, QC, said "Martin" appeared to be current jobs minister, Martin Pakula.

All four had received substantial political donations from Mr Woodman.

Mr Tovey QC told Ms Graley that the “fab four” reference appeared to be “on the basis that they (the Woodman team) perceived you to be championing the result that they wanted”.

“I have no idea what went through Mr Woodman's head,” Ms Graley told the hearing. “I was never promoting Mr Woodman’s interests.”

Mr Perera has acknowledged lobbying around the Cranbourne West amendment. Mr Pakula has denied ever raising the rezoning within government.

Ms Graley confirmed she first met Mr Woodman when she was on the Mornington Shire council in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

The hearing continues on Thursday.