Kickback charges laid against Victorian Building Authority staff
Staff of Victoria’s building regulator have been charged and their homes raided after a secret corruption probe.
Two Victorian Building Authority employees were charged with criminal offences linked to the assessment of builder registrations allegedly in exchange for a financial benefit, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission says.
The corruption watchdog earlier on Wednesday executed search warrants on several premises.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The employees were persons of interest in an investigation dubbed Operation Perseus, into allegations of corrupt conduct at the building and plumbing regulator.
“This investigation remains ongoing and IBAC will not be providing further comment at this stage,” an IBAC spokesperson said.
The Victorian Building Authority has been mired in scandal in recent years.
The authority’s chief executive Sue Eddy resigned in May 2023 after it was revealed some plumbing inspections were carried out virtually.
In September 2022, WorkSafe charged the regulator over the death of one of its inspectors who died by his own hand earlier that year.
It was also charged with recklessly engaging in conduct that placed another person in danger of serious injury, and failing to provide or maintain a workplace that was safe and without risks to health.
A report from Victoria’s auditor-general in November found the regulator had not been transparent about meeting certain targets and had a long way to go in improving its performance.
The Victorian government appointed chief executive Anna Cronin in 2023 to reform the authority’s culture and performance.
The authority has been contacted for comment.
