Daniel Andrews resists calls to stand down over IBAC fire probe

Daniel Andrews wouldn’t confirm if he was being investigated over his dealings with the United Firefighters Union but said he won’t quit.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: Ian Currie

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is resisting calls to stand down after reports emerged his dealings with the United Firefighters Union were being examined by the state anti-corruption body.

Mr Andrews did not confirm if he was the subject of or had even been contacted by the Independent Broadbased Anti-corruption Commission.

The Australian has spoken to figures within the Victorian ALP and multiple sources familiar with the IBAC investigation - known as Operation Richmond - who believe Mr Andrews’ dealings with UFU chief Peter Marshall have been scrutinised as part of the probe.

When asked if he would stand down, Mr Andrews said: “No I will not be doing anything other than my duty and what I’m sworn to do and that is to work as hard as I can to deliver on my commitment to the community.”

When asked if he agreed with Gladys Berejiklian standing down last week, Mr Andrews said the former NSW premier was someone of integrity.

“She made her announcement, I wish her all the best,” he said

Earlier on Wednesday the state opposition called for Mr Andrews to step down, with shadow attorney-general Tim Smith drawing parallels between Mr Andrews and NSW Premier Gladys Berijiklian, who last week stood down after the NSW watchdog said she was under investigation.

“The former premier of NSW resigned because she was under investigation by ICAC,” said Mr Smith.

“The premier of Victoria is under investigation by our anti-corruption commission IBAC, why hasn’t the premier stood down?”.

The probe into the United Firefighters Union, which has explored the militant organisation’s dealings with the Andrews government, has grilled a number of witnesses in secret hearings.

Mr Smith said he had not confirmed himself the IBAC investigation but said if reports were accurate, the Premier should stand down.

The IBAC investigation has been running for more than two years, and the headquarters of the Peter Marshall-run UFU has been visited by officers from the anti-corruption watchdog. Several individuals with knowledge of dealings between the union and the government have been questioned in confidential legal hearings, The Australian has been told.

It emerged in July 2019 that IBAC had quietly opened an investigation – which has been referred to as Operation Richmond – into Victoria’s fire services in the wake of the 2016 crisis over the Andrews government’s controversial plan to strip powers from the volunteer Country Fire Authority and boost the influence of the UFU.

At the height of the political crisis sparked by the move, then emergency services minister Jane Garrett, who opposed the changes being rammed through, was forced out of cabinet and senior CFA chiefs also lost their jobs.

Premier Daniel Andrews refused to address repeated questions on Tuesday about the anti-corruption investigation into the fire services overhaul and associated EBA negotiations.

“I would direct you to IBAC if you want to ask them questions about what they’re doing and not doing,” Mr Andrews said.

Asked if he was aware of the ­investigation, Mr Andrews said: “You would need to speak to IBAC about what they are and aren’t doing. I’m not a commentator on that body. Not now, not ever.”

The Australian submitted a series of detailed questions to IBAC on Tuesday about the investigation and secret hearings, including if any members of the UFU or ­Andrews government MPs or staff had been asked to attend.

In response, an IBAC spokesperson said: “As a matter of practice, IBAC does not comment on whether it has a complaint or investigation before it.”

Mr Marshall failed to respond to messages from The Australian.

Mr Andrews said his dealings with Mr Marshall had been appropriate. Asked if the IBAC investigation had the support of the government, Mr Andrews said: “I’ve been very clear, all my time in public life, that integrity agencies should have the full support of the government and every member of it … always.

“It’s not for me to tell IBAC where they should and shouldn’t investigate … they’re an independent body. The name kind of gives it away. They are there to do an important job. They have very strong support (from) our government, support in very strong terms, and I’ll be confident they do their work diligently. They do their work as very best they can.”