Victoria’s opposition has called on the premier, Daniel Andrews, to reveal how many times he has fronted the state’s anti-corruption watchdog following revelations he has been interviewed in a second probe.
Opposition leader Matthew Guy on Friday accused Andrews of evading questions of probity and integrity that were “central to his government”.
The Australian on Friday reported that Andrews had been questioned by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) in private hearings over any links he may have to a property developer currently under investigation.
It followed a report in The Age last week that Andrews had also been grilled by Ibac as part of its investigation into alleged branch stacking in the Victorian Labor party, and the misuse of public funds.
There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Andrews.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Guy said: “Victorians have a right to know how many other times has the premier been interviewed by the corruption commissioner and over what topics.”
“The premier just needs to be upfront and frank to Victorians. We’re owed that, we’re owed the truth.”
Guy emphasised that Andrews was questioned by Ibac behind closed doors, “something others were not afforded.”
The state’s Ibac act states that hearings are not open to the public unless the watchdog considers on “reasonable grounds” there are exceptional circumstances or it is in the public interest to do so.
The Victorian opposition has promised to boost Ibac’s funding by $10m per year and give it broader powers for public hearings if it wins the November election in a bid to rebuild a “system of integrity and honesty in government”. It would also increase the Victorian Ombudsman’s funding by $2m per year.
On Friday, a Victorian government spokesperson said it would not comment on an active Ibac investigation.
Following the story in The Age last week, Andrews said it would be “grossly inappropriate” for him to discuss matters before Ibac until a final report was tabled.
The Age’s story was based on the leak of a draft report of Operation Watts – a joint investigation by Ibac and the Victorian Ombudsman into branch stacking and the misuse of public funds.
It was prompted by allegations that former minister Adem Somyurek enlisted the help of staff for branch-stacking work.
Somyurek has admitted he engaged in branch stacking but argued the practice – which is not illegal but against party rules – was widespread. It involves paying for people’s party membership to boost factional influence and have power over the preselection of candidates.
