Daniel Andrews ‘fireys probe’ by IBAC in the offing

A top-secret anti-corruption inquiry running for four years is moving to closer to being released to the public.

Daniel Andrews with firefighters in 2014. Picture: Nathan Dyer

A top secret anti-corruption investigation into dealings between the Andrews government and the United Firefighters Union has reached a critical stage.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission recently informed witnesses that legal roadblocks delaying the inquiry, codenamed Operation Richmond, had been cleared and the “drafting and fin­alisation” of the special report was under way.

The Australian has confirmed that witnesses in a marathon investigation into dealings between the Andrews government and the Victorian firefighters’ union were questioned by IBAC about the conduct of Daniel Andrews, who resigned as premier on Tuesday.

He is believed to have been grilled in private by IBAC about his role in the 2016 enterprise bargaining negotiations.

Sources familiar with the four-year inquiry have said that during cross-examination, IBAC questioned them about their knowledge of the former premier’s conduct in the negotiations with UFU chief Peter Marshall, which delivered the union generous terms and operational control over the Country Fire Authority.

IBAC in August wrote to dozens of witnesses indicating the natural justice process – the phase where witnesses are sent confidential draft copies of the report and have the chance to contest findings or comments – was likely to start later this year.

“The drafting and finalisation of the special report in Operation Richmond has been delayed but is now progressing,” IBAC told witnesses.

“We have been working to ensure any draft report fairly reflects the evidence in our possession prior to making the draft report available to witnesses.”

The Australian believes witnesses should receive draft copies of the report in November or December, suggesting the findings will be publicly released in early 2024.

“IBAC is drafting the report on Operation Richmond,” an agency spokesperson said. “In line with our usual process, IBAC will publicly release the report after people involved have been provided with a reasonable opportunity to respond.”

Mr Andrews has repeatedly refused to confirm or deny that he was grilled in private by IBAC as part of Operation Richmond. IBAC has also declined to comment as to whether the former premier was called as a witness.

Operation Richmond is the fourth IBAC inquiry to involve the former premier, who was examined in private in operations Watts (branch stacking), Sandon (allegedly corrupt land deals) and Daintree (government grants to unions).

Operation Richmond is the longest-running and most secret of the inquiries, one that sources believe could be the most damaging for the Labor government.

It was launched in mid-2019 after complaints were lodged with the agency about the 2016 negotiations between the state government and the UFU.

The EBA negotiations blew up into a full-scale political scandal after it emerged Mr Andrews sidelined his ­emergency services minister, Jane Garrett, to lead the talks ­including personally meeting with UFU state secretary Mr Marshall.