Victorian anti-corruption watchdog releases firefighters union findings
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- The Victorian anti-corruption agency found senior government officials engaged in "serious and concerning" conduct with union leaders.
- Victorian Premier Ben Carroll pledged to accept all recommendations following the release of the long-awaited report.
- The report highlighted risks of improper influence and outlined systemic recommendations to reform ministerial codes of conduct.
Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog found former premier Daniel Andrews and senior government members engaged in "serious and concerning" conduct during 2016 firefighter union negotiations, though it stopped short of making findings of corrupt behaviour.
The investigation examined a protracted industrial dispute involving the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade that ultimately led to the creation of Fire Rescue Victoria.
"Integrity is non-negotiable," said Victorian Premier Ben Carroll.
The report detailed how secret negotiations enabled United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall to exert significant influence over government decision-making processes.
Following the report's release, Premier Ben Carroll announced the government would implement all proposed recommendations to update ministerial value statements and oversight frameworks.
The independent broad-based anti-corruption commission initiated Operation Richmond in November 2018 to examine allegations regarding government process departures and public sector integrity risks.
The findings recommended establishing updated training materials and a formal ministerial handbook to govern future interactions with external interest groups.