Media Releases

Public examinations into alleged serious corruption at the Department of Education and Training (DET) will be held by the state’s anti-corruption commission from next month.

The IBAC examinations will focus on:

• the alleged involvement of current and former DET staff in the establishment of ‘banker schools’, the allocation of funds to schools for goods and services that were not always provided, and the misuse of department funds
• whether DET staff (or their associates), and school principals and business managers received financial or other benefits as a result
• the family and business connections between current and former DET staff (or their associates), school principals and business managers, and the suppliers of goods and services
• DET systems and practices around procurement, financial management and allocation of funding and the awarding of contracts.

Hearings will start on Monday 27 April 2015 at the County Court of Victoria from 10am each business day. They will be open to the public.

The examinations will be presided over by IBAC Commissioner, Stephen O’Bryan QC. Counsel assisting will be Ian Hill QC with Ted Woodward SC of the Victorian Bar and Amber Harris, a Senior Lawyer with IBAC.

The examinations are part of a number of ongoing investigations into alleged serious corruption at the Department of Education and Training. 

Anyone with relevant information is encouraged to contact IBAC on 1300 735 135.

As Victoria’s independent anti-corruption commission, IBAC works to identify, expose and prevent public sector corruption and police misconduct. IBAC manages complaints and investigates allegations of serious corruption in state and local government, members of Parliament, Victoria Police and the judiciary.

Media contact: 0427 480 840 or media@ibac.vic.gov.au.

Media note

• Interviews will not be available.
• Media are requested to register their attendance at the examinations via above contacts.
• For updates, follow us @ibacVic or #IBACOrd