Commentary
A scathing joint report into the activities of the Australian Labor Party (ALP) in Victoria by that state’s Ombudsman and Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), released on July 20, found a “catalogue of unethical and inappropriate behaviour and concerning practices” inside the party.
As far as they affected public office and public funds, the report found that Labor branch-stacking was rife, and factional hacks were bought off by promises of parliamentary seats and taxpayer-funded appointments. It stated that such practices were “condoned or even actively encouraged by senior figures,” including Member of Parliaments (MP) bullying staff, nepotism, forging of signatures, and attempts to interfere with government grants. Even so, the report did not recommend any criminal charges….