The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has reported “serious and concerning conduct” by MPs, public administrators and state ministers amidst a financial dispute with the firefighters union.

Despite findings of serious misconduct, IBAC investigators decided to stop short of finding corrupt conduct but said such behaviour flagged a risk of corruption.

Victoria Elliot, the Commissioner of IBAC, said that Victorians deserve to have their elected officials act “honestly in the best interest of the state” and “without fear or influence”.

“IBAC found that senior members of government acted contrary to established policies, procedures, codes of conduct and conventions in negotiating a deal with the secretary of the United Firefighters Union [UFU] Peter Marshall,” she said.

The report found Peter Marshall had also received access to senior government personnel, which was not disclosed to any of the other key parties.

According to the ABC, the UFU secretary responded, calling for an investigation into IBAC.

“Eight years and what we understand to be an estimated $8 million dollars of public money and not one finding of corrupt conduct,” he said.

“IBAC’s record needs to be reviewed as to its own conduct into its treatment of its own employees, its defence of its own legislation when persistent leaks occur, and its publication of confidential phone intercepts despite there being no corrupt conduct,” he said.

IBAC’s investigation had begun in 2018 under former premier Daniel Andrews’ term.

The report, initially meant for release in June, was delayed due to a legal challenge from Mr Marshall which was deemed unsuccessful.

Photo: by Kevin Anslow found HERE and is used under a Creative Commons License. This image has not been modified.