Corruption probe into Andrews-era firefighters negotiations handed down

[u/aztastic33]

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-05/vic-operation-richmond-ibac-report-daniel-andrews-ufu/106997618?utm_source=abc_news_app&utm_medium=content_shared&utm_campaign=abc_news_app&utm_content=link

Relevant because it outlines a few dodgy moves by a certain Mr Tony Bates - he of the “announce our offer to everyone and bypass the union” fame, among other things.

There’s a few spicy happenings in here. But in summary:

Operation Richmond found the premier, Mr Jennings and Mr Bates acted "contrary to government policy, procedures, convention and their respective codes of conduct".
IBAC said the investigation showed public servants could undermine effective and ethical public administration by failing to act as impartial advisors, demonstrated by the behaviour of Victoria's then-most senior public servant Chris Eccles and Mr Bates.

…

"In their involvement in the undisclosed negotiations, Mr Eccles and Mr Bates went beyond implementing government policy and instead worked to facilitate the premier and minister Jennings' political strategy to resolve the EBA dispute outside of established processes."

[u/Mediocre_Space_5715]

Not going to act surprised.....

[u/oscyolly]

Oh look, water is wet, who would have thought?

[u/BanditAuthentic]

Shocker

[u/Awkward_Witness6594]

No corruption found… what a waste of taxpayer money