Anti-corruption reports would be required to be made public sooner under new laws introduced today by the Victorian Liberals and Nationals.
Under the Allan Labor Government, the release of investigations into corruption allegations can be stalled for years through drawn-out legal challenges and court processes.
The Liberals and Nationals’ proposed laws will establish a new legal requirement for the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) to table its reports in Parliament as soon as possible.
These laws will apply retrospectively to Operation Richmond, a special report commenced in 2019 by IBAC into the relationship between the Andrews Labor Government and United Firefighters Union that has been suppressed ever since it was completed.
Leader of the Opposition, Jess Wilson, said: “The culture of corruption and cover-ups under Labor must come to an end.
“Our new laws will end the delays and obfuscation and support the anti-corruption commission to release their reports and findings in a timely manner.
“Only my Liberal and Nationals team has a plan to clean up Victoria and restore integrity and transparency to our state.”
Shadow Attorney-General, James Newbury, said: “The Liberals and Nationals have a plan to end the cover-ups in Victoria.
“These laws are a test for the Labor Party – will they support new measures to get anti-corruption reports released fast, or will they continue their cover-up for corruption and misconduct?
“The delays must end. Operation Richmond must be released to the public now.”
