维多利亚州独立反腐委员会发布《Richmond行动》报告，指控消防员工会州秘书彼得·马歇尔及政府高官在2014-2019年间存在严重不当行为[1]。报告发现高级公职人员从事"严重且令人担忧的行为"，包括秘密酒店谈判、午夜短信往来以及隐瞒调解渠道等违规举动[1]。
知名反腐律师杰弗里·沃森随后呼吁联邦公平工作委员会罢免马歇尔，认为其不适合领导工会，表示"没有办法让一个以这种方式行事、涉及威胁行为、避免遵循程序的人领导这个工会"[1]。马歇尔对指控予以否认，称这份报告"就像用蜡笔写的创意写作"，并辩称其与政府沟通属于标准做法[1]。
现年64岁的马歇尔担任消防员工会州秘书已超过30年，上个财年薪资为447,839澳元[1]。此前7月，火救维州专员加文·弗里曼曾致函工会，指控其使用"令人厌恶的"战术施压，构成"欺凌"行为[1]。反对党工业关系发言人简·休姆随后呼吁总理阿尔巴尼斯撤销该工会与工党的附属关系[1]。
Victoria's independent anti-corruption body has released a report documenting serious misconduct involving the state's firefighters union leadership and senior government officials between 2014 and 2019 [1]. The "Richmond Operation" investigation found evidence of high-ranking public servants engaging in troubling behavior, including secret hotel negotiations, midnight messaging, and concealment of mediation channels [1].
Peter Marshall, who has served as state secretary of the firefighters union for over 30 years and earned AUD 447,839 in the previous financial year, faces particular scrutiny [1]. Leading anti-corruption lawyer Geoffrey Watson has called on the federal Fair Work Commission to remove Marshall from his position, stating that "there is no way a person who acts in this way, who is involved in threatening behavior, who avoids following procedure, can lead this union" [1]. Marshall has rejected all allegations, dismissing the corruption watchdog's findings as "creative writing in crayon" and insisting his communications with government represent standard practice [1].
The controversy has extended beyond Marshall's conduct. In July, Fire Rescue Victoria Commissioner Gavin Freeman wrote to the union accusing it of employing "abhorrent" tactics amounting to bullying and pressure [1]. Opposition industrial relations spokesperson Jane Hume has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to revoke the union's affiliated status with the Labor Party [1].