Lead

Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog has found "serious and concerning" conduct by senior public officers, including ministers, MPs and public servants, during a bitter pay dispute with the state's firefighters union. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) investigated allegations of corruption dating back to Daniel Andrews's first term as premier, but stopped short of finding any corrupt conduct, instead warning such behaviour raised the risk of corruption.

The report, tabled in parliament on Wednesday, found that senior members of the former Andrews government acted contrary to established policies, procedures, codes of conduct and conventions in negotiating a deal with United Firefighters Union (UFU) secretary Peter Marshall without the knowledge and involvement of the responsible minister, agencies and departments. "By doing so, the government placed itself in a position where Mr Marshall was able to exert extraordinary influence over the negotiations," the report read. Mr Marshall was also given privileged access to senior government figures.

Coverage comparison

ABC Australia reported that IBAC investigated allegations of corruption dating back to Daniel Andrews's first term as premier, and that the report highlighted "poor behaviour" by the government in its dealings with the firefighters union. The broadcaster quoted Premier Ben Carroll as saying the report highlighted behaviour that was "intolerable" and noted he was not in the cabinet when the matters began.

The Guardian reported that the IBAC report was tabled in parliament some eight years after the investigation first began, and that the UFU made legal attempts to keep it secret, including a high court challenge. The Guardian also noted that IBAC found no evidence of blackmail and did not substantiate the allegation that Mr Marshall "blackmailed or otherwise compromised" Mr Andrews, which both men denied.

ABC Australia also detailed the "handshake" deal brokered in a hotel room between the Andrews government and the firefighters' union, describing how then-special minister of state Gavin Jennings texted Mr Andrews "Handshake has occurred — it's done!" after the final meeting. The report said the deal was brokered in secret, with Mr Jennings telling staff he was on "secret business" and "off doing my secret mission."

Key claims

  • IBAC found senior public officers, including ministers, MPs and public servants, acted contrary to established policies and procedures during the pay dispute.
  • Peter Marshall was given privileged access to senior government figures and was able to exert extraordinary influence over the negotiations.
  • The government made an "undisclosed deal" with Mr Marshall "to the exclusion of other key stakeholders," according to the report.
  • The report was tabled in parliament eight years after the investigation began, as reported by The Guardian.
  • The UFU made legal attempts to keep the report secret, including a high court challenge, as reported by The Guardian.
  • IBAC found no evidence of blackmail and did not substantiate the allegation, as reported by The Guardian.
  • Premier Ben Carroll said the report highlighted "poor behaviour" that was "intolerable" and said he would accept the recommendations.
  • The CFA board was sacked by James Merlino after they rejected the offer, as reported by ABC Australia.
  • The "handshake" deal was brokered in a hotel room between the Andrews government and the firefighters' union, as reported by ABC Australia.

Perspectives

Premier Ben Carroll: Described the report as highlighting "poor behaviour" that was "intolerable," but said he was not in the cabinet when the matters began, and committed to accepting and implementing the recommendations.

IBAC: The report found "serious and concerning" conduct, including actions contrary to policy, procedure and codes of conduct, deliberate attempts to conceal and mislead, and the misuse of information. It warned such behaviour raised the risk of corruption, though it did not find corrupt conduct.