Calls are mounting for the Andrews government to implement major reforms to lobbying in Victoria in the wake of aThe Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission found “clear evidence” that councillors Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett accepted benefits from developer John Woodman in exchange for making or influencing council decisions related to planning or land use.
The 308-page Operation Sandon report found that Mr Woodman funneled more than $1.2 million in secret payments to the pair. Rules around lobbying in Victoria are not enshrined in legislation and therefore a breach cannot be classified as a crime or unlawful behaviour.Ministers in the Victorian government are also not required to keep a public diary about meetings with lobbyists.
Other reforms include outright banning donations from the property industry and “other high-risk groups”. “It’s no surprise that we have planning dysfunction when Government MPs and Ministers spend more time speaking to wealthy property developers for donations, than housing experts and renters.
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