Developer moves to block report

Property developer John Woodman, a key player in the IBAC investigation into allegedly corrupt property deals, races to Supreme Court to block report.

A Melbourne developer accused of engaging in corrupt property deals with a local council has launched Supreme Court action to block the state’s anti-corruption agency releasing a report into the affair.

Developer John Woodman’s lawyers announced on Friday legal action against the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission in a high-stakes bid to prevent the tabling of its report in parliament.

Law firm Duxton Hill said it was seeking urgent injunctions against IBAC on behalf of Mr Woodman, who was one of the central figures in the agency’s investigation into allegedly corrupt land deals involving Casey councillors.

IBAC’s conduct in Operation Sandon, which has run for more than two years, has been criticised by multiple witnesses after the suicide of former Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon just days after she received the agency’s draft report in January.

“The Supreme Court proceeding claims IBAC has denied Mr Woodman procedural fairness

and breached its statutory obligations to provide Mr Woodman with a reasonable opportunity

to respond to adverse material concerning him,” the law firm has stated.

“Mr Woodman seeks injunctions to prevent IBAC transmitting its report into Operation Sandon to the Victorian Parliament until IBAC complies with its statutory obligations and requirements of procedural fairness.

“The proceeding by Mr Woodman follows the recent suicide of former City of Casey Mayor and councillor, Amanda Stapledon, who was also a central figure in IBAC’s investigation.”

IBAC has been contacted for comment.