Peter Marshall faces removal calls after Victorian anti‑corruption report
Victoria’s Independent Broad‑based Anti‑corruption Commission (IBAC) released its Operation Richmond report on 6 August 2026. The investigation examined the 2014‑2019 enterprise‑bargaining negotiations between the Andrews Labor government and the United Firefighters Union (UFU). While the commission found no evidence of corrupt conduct under the IBAC Act, it concluded that senior public officers engaged in serious and concerning conduct, acting contrary to government policies, procedures and conventions and increasing the risk of corruption.
The report detailed secret back‑room meetings between UFU secretary Peter Marshall and senior officials, including undisclosed negotiations in rented spaces and hotels, and noted that Marshall attempted to block the report’s publication. Anti‑corruption barrister Geoffrey Watson called for the Fair Work Commission to consider ousting Marshall from his union leadership role. Former Premier Daniel Andrews was reportedly called in for questioning during the probe.
Entities: Daniel Andrews · Gail Furness · Gavin Jennings · Geoffrey Watson · Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission · Independent Broad‑based Anti‑corruption Commission · Independent Broad‑based Anti‑corruption Commission (IBAC) · Independent Commission Against Corruption · Jean Nassif · John Ruddick · Judicial Commission of Victoria · Operation Rosny
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 3 SOURCES] The report found senior public officers engaged in serious and concerning conduct but no individual was found to have committed corrupt conduct under the IBAC Act. (IBAC Operation Richmond report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Anti‑corruption barrister Geoffrey Watson called for the Fair Work Commission to assess whether Peter Marshall is fit to hold office. (Comments by Geoffrey Watson)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Union secretary Peter Marshall attempted to block the release of the Operation Richmond report. (IBAC report and related articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Meetings between former special minister Gavin Jennings and Peter Marshall were held in secret locations without knowledge of minister Jane Garrett or fire agencies. (IBAC report)
- [● 4 SOURCES] IBAC released the Operation Richmond report detailing secret backroom dealings between the Victorian government and the United Firefighters Union. (IBAC Operation Richmond report)
- [● 3 SOURCES] Former premier Daniel Andrews authorized undisclosed negotiations with United Firefighters Union leader Peter Marshall in 2016. (IBAC Operation Richmond report)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Fire Rescue Victoria accused the United Firefighters Union of bullying. (Fire Rescue Victoria statements)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The secret deal weakened the Victorian government's bargaining position with fire services. (IBAC report)
- [● 3 SOURCES] The report found senior public officers engaged in serious and concerning conduct but no evidence of corrupt conduct under the IBAC Act. (IBAC report)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Senior officials acted contrary to government policies, procedures and conventions, increasing the risk of corrupt conduct. (IBAC report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Anti‑corruption barrister Geoffrey Watson called for the Fair Work Commission to consider removing Peter Marshall from his union leadership role. (Geoffrey Watson)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Operation Richmond report covered enterprise‑bargaining negotiations between the Andrews Labor government and the United Firefighters Union from 2014 to 2019. (IBAC report)