Robert Redlich, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission’s (IBAC) Commissioner, has called out Daniel Andrews’ cuts to IBAC’s budget in his December update.
Commissioner Redlich wrote:
“… increased service levels cannot be delivered, even with IBAC’s recent allocation of funding.”
Labor’s recent budget revealed a $4.4 million cut to IBAC’s budget, severely limiting the watchdog’s capacity to investigate corruption.
IBAC currently has at least three open investigations involving Daniel Andrews’ Labor Party including its dealings with a dodgy property developer, three Andrews Government ministers with allegations of branch stacking within the Labor Party, and the ongoing probe into the long-running CFA pay dispute between the Labor Government and the United Firefighters Union.
Daniel Andrews has also savagely cut the Ombudsman’s funding by about $2 million at the same time it is investigating allegations of branch stacking in the Labor Party and the Andrews Labor Government’s decision to lock down public housing towers.
Comments attributable to the Shadow Special Minister of State, Kim Wells:
“Daniel Andrews is at war with Victoria’s watchdogs and now he’s attempting to starve them out.
“Instead of running from scrutiny, Daniel Andrews must admit he has got this wrong and give Victoria’s watchdogs the funds they need.
“Daniel Andrews’ cuts to IBAC and the Ombudsman are undemocratic and disgraceful.
“In the space of two weeks, Daniel Andrews has lied about funding cuts, been caught out, lied again and now been called out.”
