Daniel Andrews’ government engaged in ‘concerning’ conduct but no evidence of firefighter union blackmail: Ibac report

Senior figures within the former Daniel Andrews government engaged in conduct described as "serious and concerning" during their dealings with the state's firefighters union boss, Peter Marshall. This finding comes from a long-awaited report by Victoria's Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac).

The report, tabled in parliament on Wednesday, concludes that while the conduct was problematic, there is insufficient evidence to support allegations of blackmail against the union leader. The investigation by Ibac commenced approximately eight years ago, making this release highly anticipated.

The watchdog's findings highlight a pattern of behavior deemed inappropriate within the government's interactions with the powerful firefighters union. While the specific nature of the "concerning conduct" is detailed within the report, the absence of evidence for blackmail marks a significant aspect of the conclusion.