The Victorian Greens will push IBAC reform to a vote in Parliament this week, and are the only party pushing to give the anti-corruption watchdog the full powers it needs to investigate corruption on Labor's major infrastructure projects.
It comes amid revelations that the Allan Labor Government was warned corruption could be driving cost blow-outs of up to 30 per cent on taxpayer-funded projects which the Greens say is further evidence to why we need to strengthen our anti-corruption watchdog.
Both the Greens and the Liberals have Bills before Parliament to reform the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission. While Labor has desperately resisted expanding the watchdog's powers, the Greens say they will use all their power to bring reform to a vote.
Only the Greens are pushing to give IBAC the full powers it needs to follow-the-dollar, conduct public hearings and expand its jurisdiction to investigate grey corruption.
The Liberals have only gone half the way, stopping short of giving IBAC the power to investigate grey corruption - which would prevent the watchdog from being able to investigate the full scale of corruption on Labor's Big Build sites.
The Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell said that we need more than a half-job to root out corruption in Victoria and that if we're fixing IBAC we need to do it properly.
The Victorian Greens will move amendments to the Liberals' Bill to expand its jurisdiction to investigate grey corruption and be able to investigate retrospectively.
As stated by the Leader of the Victorian Greens, Ellen Sandell:
"It's clear that Labor was aware of what corruption was costing Victorians. Now Labor is going to astounding lengths to avoid giving our anti-corruption watchdog the powers to investigate. It's hard not to see this as a cover up.
"This is a huge amount of taxpayers' money. Victorians are paying the price for billions lost to corruption under Labor, while we're told there's no money to fairly pay teachers, properly fund schools, public services, or build enough public housing. These aren't luxuries, they're the basics people need for a good life.
"That's why we need real anti-corruption reform in Victoria. Half-measures and tinkering around the edges won't cut it.
"Now all eyes are on Labor and the Liberals. If they're serious about cleaning up corruption in Victoria, this week is their chance to prove it."
