IBAC’s Daniel Andrews probe hit by Christmas delay

Christmas fears spark further delays to IBAC’s longest running and most secret inquiry.

Former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews. Picture: Alex Coppel.

IBAC concern about witness welfare over Christmas has triggered fresh delays to a marathon secret anti-corruption inquiry into dealings between the former Andrews government and the United Firefighters Union.

Operation Richmond is now not expected to be publicly released until the middle of 2024 following a decision by Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission to push back the timetable.

The highly confidential inquiry which explores the conduct of former premier Daniel Andrews and UFU state secretary Peter Marshall during 2016 industrial negotiations has been running for more than four years under a cloak of secrecy.

IBAC wrote to witnesses earlier this year indicating they would receive draft copies of the report in November under the agency’s natural justice guidelines designed to provide them with an opportunity to respond to comments and preliminary findings in the report.

But IBAC more recently informed witnesses that the draft reports would now not be released to them until early next year amid welfare concerns for witnesses over Christmas.

“IBAC is working towards finalising the special report on Operation Richmond,” an agency spokesperson told The Australian. “IBAC will not conduct the natural justice process during the end of year period as witnesses may potentially have difficulty accessing legal advice or other support during this time. For this reason, the natural justice process will commence in 2024.”

Witnesses in another IBAC inquiry, Operation Sandon, have previously raised concerns that they were sent a draft report in the days before Christmas and during the new year holiday, fuelling anxiety and making it difficult to get legal help.

IBAC has refused to lock in a release date and, given the legal complexities that have already delayed Operation Richmond, the findings may not be tabled in parliament for six months.

Mr Andrews is believed to have been examined in secret as part of Operation Richmond, with both the former premier and agency refusing to confirm or deny he was privately questioned.

Sources familiar with the inquiry say multiple witnesses were questioned about Mr Andrews’ conduct in the negotiations with Mr Marshall, which delivered the union generous terms and operational control over the Country Fire Authority.

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).