Police to question Victorian Labor MPs over Red Shirts rorts

A criminal investigation into Victorian Labor’s misuse of MP staff allowances in 2014 has flared just six weeks out from the November state election.

Premier Daniel Andrews’ government has been dogged for three years over the ‘Red Shirts scandal’. Picture: Alison Wynd

A criminal investigation into Victorian Labor’s misuse of MP staff allowances in 2014 has flared just six weeks out from the November state election, with police asking a slew of Andrews government ministers to come in for questioning.

Victoria Police has reportedly contacted a number of Andrews government MPs and ministers and requested they present for questioning over their participation in the so-called ‘Red Shirts Rorts’ which Victorian Labor rolled out ahead of the November 2014 election.

The Andrews government has been dogged for more than three years by the scandal, which has been dubbed the ‘Red Shirt Rorts’ for the distinctive red T-shirts its campaigners wore during the 2014 election campaign.

Under the rort, some campaigners’ salaries were partially paid out of MP staff allowances. The scheme broke parliamentary rules, which stipulate that parliamentary funds can’t be used for party political purposes.

At a public housing announcement in Collingwood this morning alongside senior minister Martin Foley, Premier Daniel Andrews refused to comment on questions about how many ministers and MPs had been contacted.

He also refused to comment on whether members of his government would cooperate with the police investigation:

“As this is an ongoing matter I’m unable to provide any commentary at all,” Mr Andrews said.

A spokesman for Victoria Police was similarly tight lipped when approached by The Australian for information. “The investigation is ongoing and its inappropriate to comment,” the spokesman said.

News of the questioning comes just two months after Victoria Police fraud and extortion squad investigators conducted dawn raids on more than a dozen current and former Labor members and staffers who worked as campaigners during the 2014 election, during which some of the members stripped searched.

It also comes as the Andrews government and the Victorian Coalition ramp up their election campaigns ahead of the November 24 state election.

Victorian Labor has attempted to spruik its infrastructure pipeline as well as big handouts to inner city areas in the run up to the election, but internal party issues including the police investigation as well as separate legal action lodged by a United Firefighters Union member threaten to divert attention.

Meanwhile, the Coalition is ramping up a negative campaign taking direct aim at integrity issues within the government, particularly the Red Shirts debacle as well as the government’s ongoing stoush with the United Firefighters Union.