Wednesday, 3 June 2026

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:03): (1334) My question is to the Special Minister of State. Minister, while your government delays stronger IBAC powers until 2028, IBAC’s Operation Richmond report into the Andrews government’s dealings with the United Firefighters Union has been blocked from release by court action. Doesn’t this prove IBAC is already crippled by weak powers and Labor interference?

The PRESIDENT: I think that is asking for an opinion, but I will leave the minister to answer as she sees fit.

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Government Services, Special Minister of State, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria) (12:04): I thank Mrs McArthur for her question, which contained a number of assertions that were interesting, to say the least. I want to correct the record on a couple of them straight off the bat. First of all, you are wrong, Mrs McArthur: the government provided a comprehensive response to the IOC’s report into the powers of IBAC in the Parliament yesterday. If you take the time to look at that response, you will see that we have stepped out very clearly which recommendations we will be supporting in principle and have immediately sought to set up a process to come up with the reforms necessary to give effect to those recommendations.

Bev McArthur: In 2028.

Ingrid STITT: No, wrong. The expert reference group: if you have read the media release, let alone the government response, you will –

Members interjecting.

Ingrid STITT: On a point of order, President, I am having trouble hearing myself.

The PRESIDENT: I call the house to order. The minister to continue without any yelling at her.

Ingrid STITT: As I was in the process of explaining to those opposite, the media release, if you cannot be bothered to read the full government response, clearly articulates that the expert reference group made up of those integrity agencies in my department will report to me in May next year, and then the government will bring legislation to the Parliament. I also want to take up the element of your question – because there are a couple of different questions in your question – around individual investigations of IBAC. Those opposite purporting to understand the integrity framework and the powers that IBAC operate under should know that IBAC is accountable to the Parliament. They do not provide reports directly to any minister in the government. They are, quite appropriately, independent and at arm’s length from government. If and when they provide special reports to the Parliament is a matter entirely for IBAC.

 Bev McARTHUR (Western Victoria) (12:06): This report concerns the conduct of this Labor government – your Labor government. It has been completed and it is ready for publication, and it continues to be suppressed from public scrutiny less than six months before an election. Minister, will you rule out that any person connected to the current government has any involvement in the proceedings seeking to block its release?

 Ingrid STITT (Western Metropolitan – Minister for Government Services, Special Minister of State, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Multicultural and Multifaith Victoria) (12:07): Mrs McArthur, as the Leader of the Opposition in this place, you ought to get some better advice about the way in which IBAC operates and its powers and responsibilities. The fact is that matters to do with ongoing investigations are clearly spelt out in a number of different parts of the act and are not matters that are briefed to any minister of the Crown. In fact it would be highly inappropriate for that to occur. So if you have questions about that investigation and matters before the court, there is absolutely no sense in you putting them to me as Special Minister of State. You ought to put them to IBAC.