维多利亚州廉政委员会（IBAC）发布的《里士满行动》报告揭露了该州政府与消防员工会之间存在的秘密薪资协议。[1]报告指出，720名消防员曾在109个投票地点发放超过30万张选票指引卡，以帮助前总理安德鲁斯赢得2014年选举。[1]调查发现政府高层官员存在"严重且令人担忧的行为"和"不当影响"，两名最高级公务员"未能以诚实、公正和勇气行事"。[1]
尽管调查发现上述问题，但IBAC因法律规定的腐败认定门槛高——需要达到刑事犯罪标准——而未作出腐败认定。[1]报告反映了安德鲁斯政府在长期执政中权力过度集中、过度保密、忽视公共诚信的问题。[1]前总理安德鲁斯回应称其行为符合公共利益。[1]新任总理卡罗尔随后承诺改革IBAC法案，并强调政府廉洁的重要性。[1]
Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog has released an investigation into a covert pay agreement between the state government and the firefighters' union in 2016, revealing failures in public accountability at the highest levels of administration.[1]
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) found "serious and concerning conduct," "improper influence," and the politicization of dismissal procedures among government officials, including former Premier Daniel Andrews, according to the Richmond Operation report.[1] However, IBAC stopped short of declaring these actions corrupt, citing legal thresholds that require corruption findings to meet criminal standards.[1] The investigation uncovered that 720 firefighters distributed over 300,000 how-to-vote cards across 109 polling locations to assist Andrews in winning the 2014 election, an arrangement linked to the undisclosed salary negotiations.[1]
Two of the state's most senior public servants "failed to act with honesty, impartiality and courage," the report concluded.[1] Andrews responded to the findings by arguing his conduct served the public interest.[1] New Premier Jacinta Allan has committed to reforming IBAC legislation and emphasized the importance of government integrity, reflecting concerns about concentrated power, excessive secrecy, and eroded public trust within a government that has held office for nearly 12 years.[1]
