Victorian Labor won’t face fresh ‘red shirts’ investigation

Victoria Police reject Victorian opposition demands for a further criminal investigation into ‘red shirts’ rort, citing a lack of new evidence.

Victorian Labor won’t face a fresh criminal investigation into the ‘red shirts’ rort. Picture: AAP

Victoria Police will not reopen an investigation into Labor’s notorious “red shirts” rort that cheated $388,000 from taxpayers in a decision slammed by the opposition and a former ALP MP.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton revealed on Friday that detectives had not found any fresh information and there was no justification for a second probe into the 2014 election scandal.

The decision, revealed by The Australian on Friday, drew strong criticism from ex-Labor minister Adem Somyurek, who described the “red shirts” rort as systemic political corruption.

Mr Somyurek, whose statement in parliament prompted the opposition to lodge a fresh complaint with police, said it was appalling that the Andrews government looked like escaping justice over the rort.

“This is systematic, centralised, premeditated corruption by Labor … and someone needs to properly investigate what is the greatest example of political corruption in Victorian history,” Mr Somyurek said.

In a statement on Friday, Victoria Police revealed that without fresh leads, the inquiry into the “red shirts” scandal, which was investigated by detectives in 2018, would not be reopened.

“Victoria Police is still assessing the matter but so far no new information has been identified,” the police said.

“The key complainant declined the opportunity to speak to police or provide evidence and no new relevant information has been provided by IBAC to date. Without any new evidence being presented, Victoria Police will not be reopening the investigation.”

Twenty-one current and former Labor MPs, including some cabinet ministers, were involved in the scheme to divert taxpayer funds to bankroll campaign workers in the 2014 election that then opposition leader Daniel Andrews won.

Opposition police spokesman Brad Battin said the initial police investigation was hamstrung by a refusal by Labor MPs to co-operate with detectives.

“This government is happy to fine people sitting on park benches during lockdown yet thinks it can steal $400,000 without consequence,” he said. “Time and again, Labor thumbs its nose at Victorians and continues to act like the rules don’t apply to them.”

Victoria Police’s refusal to open a fresh criminal investigation will come as a massive relief for the Andrews government just seven months from the election.

In the Victorian Ombudsman’s 2018 report, the watchdog found the ALP engaged in an “artifice” to misuse $388,000 to pay for Labor campaign staff.

Ombudsman Deborah Glass was scathing of Labor MPs, particularly former treasurer John Lenders, who as the architect of the scandal had “crossed the line”.

Ms Glass found he “carries the greatest share of culpability” and he “should have known better”. “In seeking to maximise the use of resources available to the party for the 2014 campaign, Mr Lenders crossed this line,” she found.

Mr Lenders diverted $44,732 into the rort, more than any other MP. Others who were involved included Jenny Mikakos ($21,148), Gavin Jennings ($20,539), Martin Pakula ($5354) and Mr Somyurek ($15,717).

The refusal by Labor MPs to co-operate with police ­delivered a major blow to the original investigation.

The decision to follow legal ­advice to exercise their right not to comment proved to be a successful tactic, but it undermines Labor’s public position that they co-operated with authorities.