‘Beyond the realms of acceptable spin’: Integrity experts slam Andrews for downplaying IBAC report

Summary

Integrity experts have criticised Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews for misrepresenting the findings of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC). The report found that ministerial advisers had exerted undue pressure to award a $1.2 million training contract to a Health Workers Union entity, a matter which Andrews dismissed as “educational”. Stephen Charles, a board member of the Centre for Public Integrity, Australia’s leading anti-corruption think tank, insisted that the behaviour highlighted by the IBAC report would constitute corrupt conduct in most Australian jurisdictions. Charles advocated for Victoria to adopt Transparency International’s broader definition of corruption. There are increasing concerns about the centralisation of power under Andrews’ leadership and the erosion of ministerial responsibility.

This summary comes from The Age, was written by Chip Le Grand and Sumeyya Ilanbey, and can be found here.