Media Releases

IBAC invites public input to corruption hearings

Monday 07 Dec 2020

Victoria's independent anti-corruption agency, IBAC, is inviting questions from the public and community stakeholders on how to address corruption risks identified by Operation Sandon, an investigation into allegations of serious corrupt conduct in relation to planning and property development decisions at the Casey City Council.

As part of the Operation Sandon public hearings, on Monday 14 and Tuesday 15 December IBAC will hear from expert witnesses with specialist knowledge across a range of public policy issues relevant to planning at both local and state government levels, campaign donations, conflicts of interest, council governance, lobbyists, and related matters concerning Ministerial advisors and relations with Ministers and other Members of Parliament.

IBAC Commissioner, The Honorable Robert Redlich AM, QC said "This is an opportunity for the public and interested community stakeholders to contribute to the examination of these important issues by posing questions for discussion with the expert witnesses."

"The decisions made at local government level, in particular planning and property development decisions, have considerable impact on the community. That is why we want stakeholders to have an opportunity to participate in improving the transparency and integrity in Victoria’s planning system and other areas of decision making at local and state government levels," Commissioner Redlich said.

"The specialist witnesses will provide expert evidence on how Victoria can strengthen policies, systems and practices to prevent corruption risks in relation to planning and other matters where decision-making by local and state government can be distorted by undue influence, privileged access and conflicts of interest."

The expert witness evidence will inform IBAC's findings and recommendations to prevent corruption to be provided in a special report to Parliament next year.

Questions are invited from the public about ways to improve relevant legislation, policies, systems and practices to prevent the corruption risks exposed during Operation Sandon.

Specialist witnesses to provide expert evidence are:

  • Dr Cameron Murray, Post-doctoral Research Associate, School of Architecture, Design and Planning, University of Sydney
  • Dr Yee-Fui Ng, Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Law, Monash University
  • Dr Stephen Rowley, Adjunct Senior Lecturer, Department of Architecture, Monash University
  • Prof Roberta Ryan, Global Chair and Professor of Local Government, Faculty of Business and Law, University of Newcastle
  • Mr Philip Shanahan, Former CEO, Darebin, Maribyrnong, Broadmeadows and Portland Councils.

Written comments from these witnesses on topics relevant to Operation Sandon are now available.

Commissioner Redlich will preside at the hearings, with Deputy Commissioner David Wolf assisting in the examination of the broader strategic issues and systemic corruption vulnerabilities in Victoria's planning system.

Operation Sandon is an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to report it now at www.ibac.vic.gov.au/report or call 1300 735 135.

The first round of Operation Sandon public hearings ran from 18 November to 6 December 2019. Hearings recommenced on 2 March 2020 and were adjourned on 17 March 2020 as a precautionary measure in consideration of public health. The third round of the hearings resumed on 9 November.

MEDIA NOTE: Due to public health restrictions, media will not be able to attend the hearings. The hearings are publicly streamed (with a slight delay), accessible via the IBAC website.

To receive exhibits during the Operation Sandon public hearings, and permission to rebroadcast parts of the video stream, media representatives must also sign and return a request form and declaration relating to the use and publication/broadcast of that material.

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

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