The Andrews Labor Government, aided by crossbenchers, has passed legislation to gag the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) from holding public hearings into corruption.
The Andrews Labor Government was supported by Derryn Hinch's Justice Party, the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers Party and independent MP Catherine Cumming to gag IBAC by supporting secrecy provisions to restrict public hearings.
There's no point having a watchdog if it can't bark.
Public hearings are important because it means Victorians get to see IBAC exposing corruption.
The Liberal Nationals moved amendments to protect transparency and accountability so IBAC can continue public hearings. We believe Victorians deserve a government that is honest and open.
However, the Andrews Labor Government killed off amendments to protect IBAC's power to hold public hearings into public sector corruption.
You have to ask who benefits from making it harder for the corruption watchdog to hold public hearings into corruption? The only people who benefit are those who have got something to hide.
Labor's legislative gag will make it harder for IBAC to do its job.
This is a government that loves secrecy and whose arrogance is rapidly becoming a threat to open, honest, government.
