The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) has released a report detailing how a staged meeting and secret deal allowed United Firefighters Union (UFU) leader Peter Marshall to exert 'extraordinary influence' over the Victorian government led by then-premier Daniel Andrews, according to the report tabled in parliament on Wednesday.
Staged Meeting and Secret Negotiations
In April 2016, Marshall met Andrews at the premier's office, presenting a union 'proposal' to end a bitter industrial dispute. Andrews later told Ibac the meeting was to assure the government's good faith, but Ibac concluded it was 'staged' to create a witness for formal presentation. Days later, the proposal was presented to cabinet as if from the union, with ministers unaware that senior officials had helped negotiate it.
Tony Bates, then deputy secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, told Ibac: 'The development of the draft agreement was led by me. If there was a presentation of the agreement to the premier's office I would categorise it as ceremonial.'
Operation Richmond Findings
Operation Richmond, which began in 2018, stopped short of findings of corrupt conduct but found 'serious and concerning' conduct by government members in dealings with Marshall. The report said the actions of Andrews, minister Gavin Jennings, and Bates were 'contrary to government policy, procedures, convention and their respective codes of conduct.'
Over four days in April 2016, Jennings, Bates, and Marshall met at rented rooms and a Melbourne hotel, with an unnamed federal Labor senator as intermediary. Jennings texted about his 'secret mission,' and after the deal on 12 April, texted Andrews: 'Handshake has occurred – it's done!' Andrews replied: 'Very good.' Photographs showed the senator toasting with champagne.
Intense Negotiations and Aftermath
Text messages revealed tensions, with Marshall refusing to compromise. On 23 May 2016, Jennings described Marshall's changing views: 'At 11 am he was convinced you were a treacherous c*** and I was a f***ing idiot … By lunchtime he was giving me the benefit of the doubt.' After the Fair Work Commission reviewed the draft, Marshall texted: 'Love you guys … More important my members will … love Daniel.'
Marshall had 'privileged access' to senior government, texting Jennings between 1am and 3am, and Andrews received calls at 4am. Garrett resigned from cabinet in June 2016 opposing the agreement; the CFA board was dismissed and replaced, approving the deal.
Reactions and Calls for Reform
Marshall called Ibac's failure to find corrupt conduct 'vindication,' while Andrews noted no findings of corrupt conduct were made. However, integrity experts argue the report exposes flaws in Victoria's anti-corruption laws. The Centre for Public Integrity said the narrow definition of corrupt conduct in the Ibac Act prevents findings unless conduct constitutes a criminal offence, undermining public trust.
Former Victorian ombudsman Deborah Glass said the laws 'absolutely needs to change,' noting successive Ibac commissioners have said so for years. 'It's hardly a vindication when conduct is described as serious and concerning, involving breaches of policies, codes and conventions,' she said, adding it illustrates the mismatch between public perception and legal definitions.
Glass also linked the report to a broader pattern of 'creeping politicisation' of the public service under Andrews, saying it was 'another example of Andrews-era centralisation of power, marginalisation of independent voices and lack of transparency.'
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry recommended broadening the definition of corrupt conduct, which former premier Jacinta Allan accepted. Current premier Ben Carroll has vowed to strengthen Ibac but has not provided details.
