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Independent Broad‑based Anti‑corruption (IBAC) is investigating more than $3 million in grants awarded to Victoria’s Health Workers Union before the 2018 election.
According to a report by The Age, witnesses have been asked whether advisors to Andrews or then-minister Jill Hennessey pressured the Health Department into signing off on the grants, despite objections from officials.
Andrews refused to answer questions about the investigation when questioned by media today.
“I’ve got nothing to add,” Andrews said.
“The work that IBAC does or doesn’t do is a matter for them. You should talk to them.”
IBAC has not yet responded to questions about the inquiry.
The premier was at a Caulfield dog park this morning to announce that he will put $20 million towards animal welfare, creating six new dog parks, if he is re-elected on November 26.
“This is about supporting pet shelters, rescue animals, it’s all about making sure we do the most humane thing,” Andrews said.
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The proposed package would upgrade 22 dog parks across the state as well as establish six new ones.
Meanwhile, the Opposition today promised to put $160 million towards expanding Victoria’s bus network over four years if Matthew Guy is elected as premier.
The proposed plan would establish 45 new bus routes across Melbourne’s outer suburbs and in regional towns and would review another 20 bus routes.
Guy said the announcement was “responsible and sensible” and could be achieved in his first term as premier.
Coalition Public Transport spokesman Danny O’Brien said the plan would address the “plenty of public transport deserts in Victoria”, while existing bus routes would also be assessed to improve frequency and reliability.
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The Public Transport Users Association’s Daniel Bowen has supported the proposal, saying “public transport is long overdue to see some serious commitments to improve buses around Victoria”.
