Andrews faces fiery claims
Premier Daniel Andrews has responded to reports of an anti-corruption probe into his dealings with the state’s firefighters’ union.
It was revealed this week that Victoria's Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is examining the conduct of the Premier and a senior public servant during controversial deals that benefited the United Firefighters Union (UF) and its boss, Peter Marshall.
The matter relate to crisis that erupted in 2016, when the Andrew’s government moved to boost the influence of the UFU while stripping the powers of the volunteer Country Fire Authority.
In reports last week, it was revealed that the IBAC is investigating Labor MPs and staffers, but the watchdog did not name them specifically.
The state’s opposition wants Mr Andrews to follow the lead of former NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian, who stepped down as premier last week after her state’s anti-corruption watchdog named her in a media statement.
But there are significant differences between Ms Berejiklian’s case and Mr Andrews’.
There is no suggestion Mr Andrews has not disclosed a personal interest, unlike the case of the former NSW Premier.
Additionally, IBAC has given no indication it intends to hold public hearings or specifically said it was looking at any adverse allegations involving Mr Andrews.
Mr Andrews says he has behaved “appropriately at all times”.
“I'm not going back over stuff that is five years old and was resolved and was certified by the Fair Work Commission,” the Premier said.
“I know people get very excited about these issues, they were well ventilated with a lot of publicity done on them. Not much truth, not much fact.
“The facts are these: We negotiated in good faith, we got an enterprise agreement, we reformed our fire services.
“A bitter dispute that dragged on for more than 1,000 days was brought to an end, and when our fire services career and volunteers were tested just a couple of years ago in some of the worst bushfires we have seen in the history of our state, they did us proud.
“That's what I think is most relevant,” he said.