Property developer John Woodman gained access to senior Victorian government minister

A property developer at the centre of a corruption scandal gained access to senior Victorian government ministers through a Labor fundraising body, an inquiry has heard.

Developer John Woodman. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

A property developer at the centre of a corruption scandal gained access to senior Victorian government ministers through a Labor fundraising body, an ­inquiry has heard.

Lobbyist and Labor member Phil Staindl said on Monday property developer John Woodman met Planning Minister Richard Wynne, Treasurer Tim Pallas and Minister Child Protection, Disability and Ageing Luke Donnellan as part of a push for land in Cranbourne West to be rezoned from industrial to residential.

The Independent Broad-Based Commission hearing on Monday heard Mr Woodman was a “platinum member” of Progressive Business, which for an annual fee of between $60,000 to $90,000 meant he could attend events such as ­forums and dinners where ministers were present.

Mr Staindl, told the inquiry that although Mr Wynne was Planning Minister, development often spilt over into other portfolios such as education and roads.

When asked why Mr Woodman had contact with Treasurer Tim Pallas multiple times, Mr Staindl told the inquiry it would have concerned the economic activity that approving the development would have generated.

“It would have generated or stimulated quite a level of housing activity,” he said.

Mr Staindl told the inquiry that initially he was meant to ­receive a success fee of $250,000 if the project went ahead, which he cancelled after laws prohibiting the payments were outlawed in 2014.

When counsel assisting the inquiry Michael Tovey QC told Mr Staindl there was an audio ­recording of Mr Woodman telling him the success fee would be held in a trust, he said: “I’m sorry. I remember a phone discussion where I asked Mr Woodman if the success fee was still there and he said yes …. My stomach sank because I thought I’ve got to end that.”

Mr Staindl, who has ran four-times as an endorsed ALP candidate over his 40-year party membership, said he had ­received a success fee of $500,000 after Casey Council approved the rezoning of Brompton Lodge in Cranbourne South from agriculture to residential land.