Corruption investigation: Daniel Andrews says ‘I have always behaved appropriately’

Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to say if and how many times he has been interviewed by the state’s anti-corruption watchdog.

Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews says he has behaved appropriately at all times amid news he has been secretly probed by the state’s anti-corruption watchdog in two separate investigations.

Mr Andrews made his first public appearance on Sunday after The Australian revealed on Friday he was secretly interviewed by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission about links to property developer John Woodman.

The Premier was grilled by IBAC as part of Operation Sandon, which has for two years probed allegedly corrupt planning and property development decisions made by City of Casey councillors and a cash-for-access scheme involving Mr Woodman.

Mr Andrews said he would not comment on matters being investigated by IBAC, but insisted he had done nothing wrong.

“I behave appropriately at all times and I (won‘t) run a commentary over an as yet complete process,” he said. “I don’t comment on ongoing processes. Even if it might be in my interests, I don’t comment on active processes. That’s not appropriate.”

News Mr Andrews was interviewed by IBAC as part of Operation Sandon came a week after The Age reported he was also secretly interviewed as part of an investigation into alleged branch stacking in the state’s Labor Party dubbed Operation Watts.

Despite the revelations, Mr Andrews responded “yes” when asked if Victorians could be confident in the integrity of his government.

Victorian Opposition Leader Matthew Guy accused the Premier of treating Victorians with “contempt” because he had so far refused to publicly acknowledge the hearings.

“Daniel Andrews has a special kind of skill to treat everyone with contempt,” he said.

“The Premier should have told us exactly what is going on with the corruption commission and him. He loves throwing bombs at everyone else, but when it comes back to him he is the first one to hide behind ‘I can’t give you a comment’.

“This guy has been interviewed multiple times. Over what? Is he a witness? Is the inquiry into him?

“We at minimum deserve to know when we are talking about probity and honesty of the guy in charge.”

Mr Andrews said comments that he stand aside – made by Mr Guy last week – while investigations continue are “absolutely ridiculous”.

“I’ve got a very big job to do with my team as we come out of this pandemic event. I’ll leave just the pure politics to others, I’m not concerned with that,” he said.

Following reports in the Herald Sun, on Sunday Mr Andrews also refused to confirm if he had been interviewed as part of a third IBAC probe.

Operation Sandon is investigating whether property developer Mr Woodman had “privileged access” to Mr Andrews and other ministers – from both sides of the political spectrum – due to ­significant donations he made to the Labor and Liberal parties.

It was reported IBAC believes the developer donated nearly $1m to both major parties between September 2010 and June 2019.

As well, Mr Woodman and his associates set out to ­influence state and Casey council decision-making in favour of rezoning a big chunk of industrial land known as C219.