How will you protect Victoria’s political system from corruption and misuse of public funds?
Victorians told us they want a government that leads with integrity and a political system prioritising transparent and accountable decision-making.
Updated
Guy facing IBAC probe after VEC refers donor scandal to watchdog
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy will go to next week’s state election with the prospect of an anti-corruption investigation into alleged illegality hanging over his head.
- by Rachel Eddie and Paul Sakkal
Updated
‘Cease and desist’: Liberals accuse electoral commission of ‘interfering’ in Victorian election
The Liberal Party has demanded that the VEC stop “interfering” in the state election after the body directly contradicted Opposition Leader Matthew Guy’s claims that he had fully complied with a donor scandal investigation.
- by Sumeyya Ilanbey
Exclusive
Victorians Liberals use legal loophole to stall donation investigations
Two key probes into alleged breaches of state donations laws by the opposition have been dragged out and will not conclude before the election.
- by Paul Sakkal and Josh Gordon
‘Not top of the list’: How Labor’s appetite for voting reform fell by the wayside
Support to overhaul the group voting system grew on Thursday after a leaked video showed so-called “preference whisperer” Glenn Druery brazenly spruiking his cash-for-seats business.
- by Paul Sakkal
Micro parties, preferences and Druery deals: How does this affect Victoria’s election?
Who is “preference whisperer” Glenn Druery, what is the group voting system, and how does it all affect Victoria’s elections?
- by Royce Millar
IBAC chief wanted Andrews corruption probe to be heard in public
Operation Daintree, an integrity investigation into a government payment to a union, was held behind closed doors. The head of IBAC says it would have been “preferable” for it to be open
- by Paul Sakkal
‘At arm’s length’: Minister denies conflict of interest in Visy fundraiser
Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio insists there is no conflict of interest in the tender process for the state’s $500 million container deposit scheme.
- by Caroline Schelle and Rachael Dexter
Minor parties push for cabinet papers to go public in weeks, not years
Sweeping transparency reforms are being sought by some of the parties that hope to dominate Victoria’s upper house after this month’s state election.
- by Rachel Eddie
Opinion
Integrity is important to voters, but may not sway Victorian election
It would seem that for many voters, integrity in politics only matters if it conforms to their political prejudices.
- by Roshena Campbell
Decision in Woodman case against IBAC over corruption report to remain secret for weeks
The Supreme Court has restricted the publication of a judgment in a lawsuit brought by developer John Woodman against Victoria’s public sector watchdog, IBAC.
- by David Estcourt
Exclusive
Call for ministers’ diaries to be made public in push for greater integrity
Diaries of ministers and staff would be made public to shine a light on any vested interests gaining access to the state’s lawmakers under a proposal to overhaul Victoria’s integrity regime.
- by Josh Gordon
Andrews dodges IBAC questions as Guy pledges public integrity hearings
Opposition Leader Matthew Guy says a Coalition government would remove the requirement for alleged corruption to be ‘serious or systemic’ for IBAC to interview witnesses in public.
- by Paul Sakkal and Rachel Eddie
‘Read the statement’: Andrews spars with reporters over IBAC probe
The premier repeatedly declined to explain to reporters a statement he issued in response to an Age story on a corruption probe. This is a transcript of their exchange.
- by The Age staff
‘No plans to change the law’: Andrews rejects IBAC call for jailing journalists
Premier Daniel Andrews has clarified that he would not introduce laws that could mean jail for reporters for revealing IBAC probes after initially saying he would not rule it out.
- by Josh Gordon and Ashleigh McMillan
Analysis
IBAC probe uncovers a troubling picture
Operation Daintree is not about political figures or union officials with their snouts in the trough. It is about something more commonplace and insidious.
- by Chip Le Grand and Paul Sakkal
Andrews rejects watchdog’s plea for tough laws aimed at journalists
The premier unequivocally rejects plea from Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog for tough new laws that could see journalists jailed for reporting details of draft investigation reports.
- by Josh Gordon and Ashleigh McMillan
Exclusive
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews investigated by anti-corruption watchdog
The investigation relates to the awarding of $3.4 million to a Labor-linked union on the eve of the election.
- by Paul Sakkal
IBAC wins court case against The Age over gag order
A court has granted Victoria’s anti-corruption agency a gag order preventing The Age from publishing information contained in a draft IBAC report.
- by Patrick Hatch
Opposition accuses Labor of interfering in independent audit of IBAC
The Labor chair of a parliamentary subcommittee told auditors reviewing Victoria’s integrity agencies to remove any references to the Andrews government underfunding or under-resourcing the state’s anti-corruption body.
- by Sumeyya Ilanbey
‘Ditch Dan’ donations probe won’t conclude until after the election
An investigation into the state Liberal Party’s lucrative ‘Ditch Dan’ fundraising push won’t be finalised until after the election, potentially denying the public access to critical information on political donations.
- by Josh Gordon
Exclusive
Liberal candidate demoted as police officer over lies about sex with colleague
A long-serving police officer who is running as the Liberal candidate for the marginal seat of Mildura was charged with breaches under the Victoria Police Act and demoted after lying to investigators probing alleged sexual misconduct.
- by Paul Sakkal
Departing Yarra monitor slammed for council report
The state government-appointed municipal monitor of the Greens-run City of Yarra council has quietly stepped down after he found improvements in governance and culture at the council.
- by Cara Waters
Exclusive
Scandals diminish public trust in Victoria Police
More than one in five Victorians no longer have confidence in the integrity of the police after a succession of scandals.
- by Chris Vedelago
IBAC calls for greater transparency around political donations, lobbying
Without change, Victoria’s integrity watchdog warns the risk of corruption around lobbying is “not only real but imminent”.
- by Jackson Graham
What Victorians want to hear from politicians
The Age surveyed thousands of Victorians in August and September to help inform its coverage of the Victorian election in November.
- by Rachel Eddie
What is Victoria’s Agenda for the 2022 state election?
For this election, The Age is shifting its approach to focus on what Victorians want to discuss – what matters most to you – rather than what the political parties and candidates want the election to be about.
- by Gay Alcorn
Explainer
What will you do to protect Victoria’s political system from corruption and misuse of public funds?
Integrity in government has become one of the most important issues in Australian politics, but both parties in Victoria have had their issues over the years.
- by Paul Sakkal and Sumeyya Ilanbey