Investigation into Liberals’ ‘Ditch Dan’ donations won’t be finished before Victorian election
An inquiry into the Victorian Liberals’ “Ditch Dan” donations drive will not be complete before voters head to the polls.
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) confirmed Thursday that the outcome of its investigation into the 24-hour fundraiser in August won’t be known until after the 26 November state election.
Compliance officers used written notices to legally compel relevant party officials and donors to hand over information, but reviews were requested of the orders, which can take up to eight weeks.
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“Based on the investigation to date, the VEC acknowledges that the matter will not be resolved prior to next month’s state election,” it said.
“The VEC makes no allegation of an offence at this stage and will not risk prejudicing the investigation by making further comment.”
In Victoria, political donations above $1,080 must be disclosed by donors and recipients within 21 days, and are capped at $4,320 over four years for individuals and organisations.
Dozens of anonymous donations above the threshold were made to Liberal candidates as part of the fundraising drive, with the party pledging to match contributions dollar for dollar during the 24-hour window.
Party officials gave the electoral commission assurances the campaign would comply with the state’s strict donation laws, but it launched an investigation after comparing website activity with political donations disclosed.
Meanwhile, the two major parties have shot down the prospect of Victoria moving to a four-day working week.
The Community and Public Sector Union wrote to political parties to gauge their stance on a broad spectrum of proposals, including a four-day week pilot for public service and wider sector staff.
Parties were also asked if they would commit to a 19-day month, the addition of an extra week of annual leave, 26 weeks of paid parental leave and maintaining flexible work options.
“Our members deserve to know what type of employer to expect for the next four years,” a CPSU spokesperson said.
The union has given Labor and the Liberals until 7 November to formally respond to the wide-ranging questionnaire.
While a four-day work was mentioned as part of a draft version of Victorian Labor’s election policy platform, the premier, Daniel Andrews, said he didn’t support the idea.
“But I do support having the most flexible arrangements possible,” he said.
The opposition leader, Matthew Guy, was more frank.
“We work five days. Monday to Friday is the working week and I don’t have any plans to change that,” he said.
The Coalition plans to unveil an industrial relations policy in the coming weeks to drive efficiency within the public service.
Meanwhile, another union has publicly backed Labor for re-election with an expletive on a campaign poster.
A Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union poster placed on building sites states that Andrews might be a “prick” but is “delivering for construction workers”.
It points to his government committing tens of billions of dollars to build hospitals, the Suburban Rail Loop and other infrastructure projects.
“Labor will keep you in work for another 30 years,” the poster reads.
The Andrews government last year shut down the construction industry over Covid-19 compliance issues and angered some union members with its vaccine mandate, sparking violent protests outside the CFMEU’s Melbourne office.