UFU and Secretary Peter Marshall Identified in Bid to Block IBAC Report

Court Rejects Pseudonym Applications

The United Firefighters Union (UFU) and its secretary, Peter Marshall, have been identified as the parties seeking to prevent the publication of a report by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) regarding Operation Richmond.

On Friday, the Victorian Court of Appeal upheld a decision by Supreme Court Justice Claire Harris to deny pseudonym orders to the applicants.

"The refusal of a pseudonym order is in the public interest and important for transparency." — IBAC statement

Justice Harris rejected the application for pseudonyms on Friday. The applicants filed an immediate appeal and were granted temporary pseudonyms "XY" and "Z" during the appeal process. The Court of Appeal subsequently upheld Justice Harris's decision, allowing the names of the applicants to be published.

Legal Challenge Details

The legal challenge involves two components: stopping the report's release and protecting the identities of those challenging it. The case is scheduled for hearing on June 24-25, 2026. IBAC has agreed not to publish the report until the proceedings are resolved.

Justice Harris ordered that future hearings on the report's release will occur in secret, starting later this month, to comply with IBAC laws preventing public disclosure of reports before they are tabled in parliament.

Key Statements

Peter Marshall stated: "I respect the court's decision. We have been restricted at law from commenting on Operation Richmond." He noted that pseudonyms have been given in past cases, but the court found a differentiating factor due to "a significant amount of information in the public domain about Operation Richmond."

Media lawyer Justin Quill, representing outlets including the ABC, argued that secrecy would foster innuendo and speculation, contrary to public interest.

"Secrecy would foster innuendo and speculation, contrary to public interest." — Media lawyer Justin Quill

Premier Jacinta Allan stated she wants the report released and confirmed no government official made the application.

Shadow Attorney-General James Newbury promised to improve IBAC transparency if elected.

IBAC Commissioner Victoria Elliott called for legislative changes, stating that current laws limit IBAC's ability to share information in the public interest.

Background on Operation Richmond

Operation Richmond investigated allegations of corruption during the 2016 industrial dispute between the United Firefighters Union, the Country Fire Authority (CFA), and the Victorian government led by then-Premier Daniel Andrews.

The investigation began in 2018 and examined matters dating back to Andrews's first term (2014-2018). Former Premier Andrews is understood to have been interviewed by IBAC.

The report was largely complete by 2022 but has been delayed due to legal challenges. IBAC has faced legal challenges throughout its investigation, including on jurisdictional grounds, with one case reaching the High Court. The United Firefighters Union is reportedly behind the legal challenges, though this was unconfirmed prior to court proceedings revealing their involvement.