Breaking: Firefighters union boss exerted 'extraordinary' influence, report finds

IBAC report stops short of corruption finding after years-long Victorian investigationPosted Wed 5 Aug 2026 at 9:45amWed 5 Aug 2026 at 9:45am, updated Wed 5 Aug 2026 at 9:46amWed 5 Aug 2026 at 9:46amThe Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission investigated allegations of corruption dating back to Daniel Andrews's first term as premier. (ABC News)Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog has found serious and concerning conduct by senior public officers, including ministers, MPs and public servants, during a bitter pay dispute with the state's firefighters union.But the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) has stopped short of making any findings of corrupt conduct, instead warning such behaviour raised the risk of corruption.IBAC found that senior members of government acted contrary to established policies, procedures, codes of conduct and conventions in negotiating a deal with United Firefighters Union (UFU) secretary Peter Marshall without the knowledge and involvement of the responsible minister, agencies and departments."By doing so, the government placed itself in a position where Mr Marshall was able to exert extraordinary influence over the negotiations," the report read.Mr Marshall was also given privileged access to senior government figures.Peter Marshall is the secretary of the United Firefighters Union in Victoria. (ABC News: Leanne Wong)The IBAC investigation examined allegations of corruption during the bitter industrial dispute between firefighters union, the Country Fire Authority, and the government of former premier Daniel Andrews.The investigation began in 2018 and looked into the matter as far back as Mr Andrews's first term in office.In 2014, the militant United Firefighters Union ran a concerted campaign against the then-Coalition government over pay and conditions.Daniel Andrews was Victorian premier at the time of the enterprise bargaining negotiations. (ABC News: Danielle Bonica)Mr Andrews promised to respect firefighters, increase their numbers and overhaul the way firefighting operated in Victoria.But upon coming to office after the 2014 election, Mr Andrews gave the job of emergency services minister to Jane Garrett, who resisted the union's demands.The issue came to a head in 2016, with Mr Andrews intervening to end the impasse.The move forced Ms Garrett, who died from cancer in 2022, to resign, and fuelled allegations the union had been given a sweetheart deal.IBAC's probe is understood to have included interviews with Mr Andrews and senior ministers, however witnesses are unable to confirm or deny if they have been spoken to under IBAC's laws.