澳大利亚维多利亚州独立反腐委员会(IBAC)日前发布历时八年的"Operation Richmond"调查报告，揭露该州政府与消防员工会在薪酬谈判过程中存在严重不当行为[1][2]。调查发现，政府高级官员在未经相关部长知情的情况下与联合消防员工会秘书长Peter Marshall进行谈判，使其获得了对企业协议谈判的非凡影响力[1][2]。IBAC虽未认定腐败行为，但指出政府破坏了制衡机制[1]。
IBAC委员Victoria Elliot表示，"政府部长和高级公务员在未经相应部长知情和参与的情况下与消防工会秘书长进行谈判"[1]。调查显示，前州长Daniel Andrews授权进行秘密谈判，特别部长Gavin Jennings向Andrews报告称"握手已发生——已完成"[2]。Marshall本人则声称协议"与Jennings在后室协商，由Andrews和内阁批准"[2]。针对政府与工会的谈判安排，当时的紧急服务部部长Jane Garrett因反对政府接受工会要求而辞去职位并退出内阁[1]。
IBAC建议维州政府制定部长行为准则、发布部长手册并加强部长培训，以强化诚信框架[2]。报告原定于6月底前发布，因Marshall的诉讼挑战被延迟[1]。
Victoria's Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has released an eight-year investigation into government conduct during firefighter pay negotiations, concluding that senior officials engaged in "serious and concerning conduct" that circumvented normal oversight mechanisms.[1][2] The Operation Richmond inquiry found that government ministers and senior public servants negotiated with United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall without the knowledge or involvement of relevant ministers, granting him extraordinary influence over enterprise agreement discussions for both the Country Fire Authority and Metropolitan Fire Brigade.[1][2]
While IBAC did not determine that corruption had occurred, the report found that the government had undermined checks and balances in the process.[1] Former Premier Daniel Andrews authorized secret negotiations, with one government official reporting to Andrews: "Handshake has occurred – it's done!"[2] Marshall himself characterized the arrangement as "negotiated with f---in' Jennings in a back room. It was endorsed by f---in' Andrews and cabinet," referring to former special minister Gavin Jennings, who served in that role from 2014 to 2020.[2] The conduct involved multiple ministers, including Lisa Neville in her role overseeing police and emergency services.[2]
The findings prompted action within government: Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett resigned from her cabinet position after opposing the government's acceptance of union demands.[1] IBAC has recommended that the state government establish a ministerial code of conduct, issue a ministerial handbook, and strengthen training for ministers.[2] The report's release was delayed from its originally planned date in late June due to legal challenges brought by Marshall.[1]