Dan Andrews Denies Allegations of Interference Into State’s Anti-Corruption Watchdog

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews addresses the media during a press conference in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 11, 2022. (Diego Fedele/Getty Images)

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews is at the centre of another corruption allegation, this time from the former IBAC commissioner himself, who alleges that the Andrews government interfered with the watchdog’s independent audit processes.

In a leaked letter published by the Herald Sun on March 9, former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich KC alleged that the Andrews government also made an elaborate revenge plot after several probes into state Labor by the watchdog.

Additionally, Redlich alleged that Labor MPs instructed auditors to “find dirt on IBAC and data that is not readily publicly available” with threats to have their pay withheld if they didn’t comply.

“IBAC was advised that the IOC (Integrity and Oversight Committee) is looking for evidence to support a narrative that ‘IBAC is not performing’,” Redlich wrote, reported the Herald Sun.

“What is most concerning is that it appears that the Chair and majority of the IOC Audit Sub-Committee seemed intent on casting IBAC in a negative light for what we can only assume were political reasons relating to the work undertaken by IBAC.”

Redlich also alleged that members of the Integrity and Oversight Committee (IOC) leaked information to the media “to gain some political advantage.”

Andrews has denied these allegations maintaining that the state government has behaved “appropriately.”

“I absolutely reject any suggestion by him or anybody else that the government does not behave appropriately,” Andrews said on March 9. “There are no findings to the contrary.”

“I’m not having a debate with a bloke who used to do a job, who’s written a letter I haven’t seen,” Andrews said in reference to Redlich’s scathing letter.

On March 9, opposition leader John Pesutto moved to suspend debate on the government’s Heritage Amendment Bill to instead debate the allegations made by Redlich. But this attempt was shut down by state Labor and backed by the Greens.

“The former IBAC commissioner is not only making allegations of interference, he’s making very serious allegations, which, if true, may well be criminal,” Pessuto said.

“Victoria used to have a great reputation as a place where governments acted with integrity, with principles, with ethics, and what do we have here? It’s acting like a gang. It’s roughing up integrity agencies. It’s trying to interfere with the work of independent auditors who were there to report on the affairs of IBAC simply so it can protect the government. This is not good enough.”

The letter which Redlich wrote was written before his term ended in December 2022. The letter, which was addressed to the Speaker and President of the Legislative Council President, was used to call for an overhaul of the state’s Integrity and Oversight Committee.

‘Labor-dominated’ Auditors

Under IBAC’s legislation, the IOC is required to conduct an independent performance of IBAC once every four years.

Callida Consulting carried out the most recent audit during Redlich’s tenure.

Redlich claimed that IBAC had “significant concerns” about the interference by the IOC in the work of the auditors.

Redlich alleges that the Labor-dominated sub-committee “significantly undermined” the independence of the audit by providing directions into what report could or not include.

Moreover, Redlich said he believed the actions by the IOC were related to IBAC’s investigation into the Andrews government.

“[T]he Chair and majority of the IOC Audit Sub-Committee seemed intent on casting IBAC in a negative light for what we can only assume were political reasons relating to the work undertaken by IBAC,” he wrote.

“In light of these recent events concerning the IOC in its dealings with issues concerning IBAC, it is submitted that some amendment of the [legislation] is necessary to protect IBAC from exposure to the risk that the IOC or its majority may make decisions to advance a political purpose.”

Funding Concerns

In August 2022, Redlich raised concerns over IBAC’s funding and resources, suggesting that decisions about funding should be removed from the discretion of the government of the day, reported The Age.

He called for broader powers that would allow IBAC to investigate “soft” corruption in what he described as “fundamental institutional failings” in the state administration.

However, Andrews has denied allegations that the Labor-majority committee was used for political purposes.

“The ex-head of that agency is not a member of parliament, and it’s the parliament that will determine these matters. Very simple,” Andrews said.

“He’s got a view. He’s not in the parliament. He didn’t stand for election. He’s not part of the government or part of a majority or a member of the House. Other people are, and those decisions have already been made. You want to determine parliamentary committee membership. Well, then get yourself elected.”

Andrews continued: “It’s completely inappropriate for anyone to be suggesting that that committee is an extension of the government. That committee is made up of members of parliament who are elected by the parliament and are accountable to the parliament.”

Redlich commenced his tenure as IBAC’s second commissioner in January 2018, and was previously a Victorian Supreme Court judge for 15 years. He was described as “one of Victoria’s most eminent and well-respected jurists.”

The current committee is made up of seven MPs—four from Labor, one from the Greens, one from the Nationals, one from Liberal, and is currently chaired by Labor MP Gary Mass.

Meanwhile, the Andrews government is in the process of selecting a new IBAC commissioner, with the Labor majority having veto powers over the new appointment.

The Epoch Times has reached out to the Premier’s office seeking a response to the allegations; while a Victorian spokesperson did not provide a response to the allegations, the spokesperson said: “We’ve delivered stronger powers and record funding to support IBAC.”