Members statements
Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission
Michael O’BRIEN (Malvern) (09:37): It has now been over eight months since the Labor government announced Victoria Elliott as the new commissioner of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission. In these past eight months we have heard next to nothing from IBAC about its investigations into serious corruption in this state. Under its new Labor-appointed commissioner IBAC appears to have taken a vow of silence. That might suit the political interests of a tired and dodgy Labor government, but it is not in the public interest. Corruption flourishes not only in darkness but also in silence. It is a matter of public record that IBAC was investigating serious corruption allegations concerning the relationship between the Labor government and the United Firefighters Union, known as Operation Richmond. Where does Operation Richmond stand? Nobody seems to know, because IBAC is silent. The most recent state budget increased the fire services property levy by over $600 million. Victorian families forced to pay these higher taxes deserve to know if their money is being wasted or worse by the Labor government and their mates in the UFU. I call on IBAC Commissioner Elliott to finalise Operation Richmond or at least assure Victorians it is still being actively pursued and not swept under the carpet, as the Labor government and the UFU so desperately want to occur.