VBA Staffers Charged by Corruption Watchdog

Victoria’s corruption commission says it has so far charged two people as part of its investigation into the state’s building authority.

The Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) said it had charged two employees of the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) as part of Operation Perseus.

The ongoing operation is investigating allegations of corruption at the VBA centred around builders being registered in exchange for financial benefits.

The VBA is the state’s regulator for the building and plumbing industries.

This year its board was asked to step down and Anna Cronin was installed  as its commissioner and chief executive in March.

Cronin said that the VBA referred suspicious activity to IBAC in June, 2023.

IBAC said it had secured warrants and raided several premises on August 7.

Two VBA employees have been charged with criminal offences in relation to allegations of assessing builder registrations in exchange for financial benefit.

▲ Former NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler and current Victorian Building Authority Commissioner Anna Cronin in Sydney recently.

Cronin said that the employees had been stood down immediately, and that more people were being investigated.

“Today IBAC notified us they have charged two employees with criminal offences and are investigating a third,” Cronin said.

“The VBA is now reviewing any impacts of this alleged activity to ensure the integrity of our systems.

“We will not be commenting any further while the IBAC investigation and court processes are ongoing.”

IBAC confirmed that the investigation was ongoing and that it would not comment further.

In August of last year IBAC released its report on Operation Sandon, which investigated allegations of corruption and bribery within the Casey council.