Victorian Labor Resists IBAC Reforms Amid Corruption Scandals

0:00It's March 11. Here's your Sydney news in two minutes. In Victorian politics, the Allen Labor government has made it clear it won't give more power or funding to the state's anti-corruption agency, iBAC. Even as major scandals rock to building industry and unions. This stance comes amid the biggest corruption issue since the WA Ink Days, with labor viewing union problems and criminal ties to its big build. Program is less risky than empowering an agency they don't fully trust. A key lesson from Australian politics, known as the Griner Rule, explains this, integrity reforms always seem great from opposition benches but fade. Once in power, like when New South Wales's ICAC took down its own creator, former premier, Nick Griner, 24 years ago. The opposition, Liberals and Nationals promised real changes if they win in November, including follow the money powers, public hearings, and independent funding for iBAC, seeing it as both smart policy and a way to hit back on the building bad scandal.

1:01Meanwhile, labor insiders call iBAC politicized and dismiss calls for reform from a recent parliamentary report, with Attorney General Sonia Kilkenny, saying they're reviewing it, but insiders say no real action while they think they can hold on. This story is made possible by our sponsor, see the episode description. It looks like a pillow, it sounds like headphones, built for comfort and sound, S-O-L-I-S-O-L-L-L-Pillow.com