Amid findings by the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC), the former Victorian Labor minister Theo Theophanous has resigned from the board of State Trustees.
According to The Herald Sun, IBAC found Mr Theophanous had lobbied in favour of a $31 billion proposal by the Australian Education City (AEC) consortium to develop a large education, residential and employment district in Melbourne’s western suburbs.
Although he was registered as a lobbyist, Mr Theophanous had not registered AEC as one of his clients, as required.
According to ABC News, the IBAC investigation found Mr Theophanous’ actions benefited the election campaign of his daughter Kat Theophanous, who is a Labor MP for Northcote.
IBAC said there was no evidence Ms Theophanous was aware of her father’s relationship with AEC.
In response, Ms Theophanous said she had always acted appropriately and IBAC’s report makes it clear she had no knowledge of the circumstances outlined.
“All donations made to my campaigns were appropriately disclosed,” she said.
For his part, Mr Theophanous resigned from the VPA board last week. In his official response to IBAC, Mr Theophanous said he “absolutely and categorically” rejected the findings.
Sources: Herald Sun, The Guardian, ABC
