Corruption inquiry into awarding of lucrative Victorian transport contracts
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Version 0 of 1. Victoria’s transport department says it is “extremely concerned” and will co-operate fully with a corruption inquiry launched on Wednesday to investigate alleged “serious corrupt conduct” in the awarding of lucrative transport contracts. "We recognise the gravity of the allegations and would be extremely concerned about any behaviour or activities not consistent with public sector standards,” a spokeswoman said. “We will not be commenting further until the hearings have concluded and the commission has detailed its findings.” Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) announced on Wednesday it would investigate contracts awarded by the department from 2007 to 2013 for projects including the construction of new railway car parks, and the supply and installation of bus infrastructure. It is alleged the companies involved were established, or controlled by, current or former Department of Transport (DOT) or Public Transport Victoria (PTV) workers. A statement posted on the Ibac website said the investigation, dubbed Operation Fitzroy, would focus on alleged "instances of officers of the DOT, and PTV, providing benefits to themselves, their family, friends or associated and other conflicts of interest". It will also examine systems and controls in place at the DOT and PTV concerning procurement. The public transport minister, Terry Mulder, has acknowledged the investigation into his department. "The Ibac was established by the Victorian Coalition government to investigate allegations of serious corrupt conduct," Mulder said. "It is not appropriate for me to provide any comment on the current investigation being conducted by the commission." The Ibac was created in February 2013 to investigate allegations of serious public sector corruption in Victoria, and Operation Fitzroy will be its first to include public hearings. Labor has criticised the commission as a “toothless tiger” and promised to lower the level of proof required before Ibac can launch an investigation. Under its current remit, the commission cannot investigate a matter without prima facie evidence of an indictable offence. The hearings will begin on July 21. |