V/Line’s top executives pocketed a bonus of $125,000 while the organisation was in the middle of a corruption scandal and the coronavirus pandemic decimated fare revenue, documents have revealed.
The reports come after former chief executive James Pinder’s sacking last October after the anti-corruption watchdog investigated allegations he secured work for mates in return for cash and a house deposit.
The current IBAC investigation comes five years after Mr Pinder was appointed with a glowing report card from Labor’s former Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan.
Victoria’s current chief COVID-19 commander, Jeroen Weimar, was also chair of the V/Line board between June 2018 and September 2019.
The Department of Transport announced on Wednesday that from July 1, V/Line will transition from a state-owned enterprise to a statutory authority.
Victorians expect transparency and accountability from their government and to date they have seen neither.
Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Regional Public Transport Steph Ryan
“Under the Andrews Labor Government, V/Line’s executives have pocketed thousands of dollars in bonuses despite the organisation’s struggling performance.”
“V/Line is losing money hand over first after ticket sales plummeted in 2020.
“Labor has been in government 17 of the last 21 years. Over the course of the past five, V/Line has been the subject of two IBAC investigations and has had a revolving door of chief executives.
“Victorians have had a gutful of the lies and cover-ups of the Labor Government.”
