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IBAC funding shortfall concerns

The state’s anti-corruption watchdog IBAC has warned a lack of funding from the Andrews Labor Government means it can’t probe all allegations of government misconduct and police integrity concerns.

It’s no surprise Daniel Andrews doesn’t want to fund this important integrity agency.  This is a government which does everything it can to cover-up bad behaviour and avoid scrutiny.

Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) Commissioner Hon Robert Redlich has said “it is deeply concerning that IBAC’s budget has remained largely static since we were founded.” Commissioner Redlich has warned that IBAC will not be able to maintain current services and its capacity to expose and prevent corruption will be further curtailed and significantly impacted.”

It comes as IBAC has just launched a new inquiry into three Andrews Government ministers and allegations of branch stacking within the Labor Party.

There is also an ongoing probe into the long-running CFA pay dispute that also includes an investigation into the relationship between the Labor Government and the United Firefighters Union.

Comments attributable to the Shadow Special Minister of State, Kim Wells:

“Daniel Andrews refuses to give IBAC the money needed to expose and prevent corruption, at a time when the Labor Government is being investigated on numerous matters, including branch stacking.  What does the Premier have to hide?

“Daniel Andrews cannot ignore the calls of Victoria’s Independent Anti-corruption Commission any longer and must now fully fund this essential agency in the upcoming state budget to do its work.

“We call on the Andrews Labor Government to properly resource IBAC because Victorians deserve better. We desperately need properly funded integrity agencies so that corruption is properly investigated.”

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