2023-02-22
The Victorian Greens have called on Northcote MP Kat Theophanous to come clean on the sources of the funding for both her 2018 and 2022 state election campaigns.
Earlier today a secret IBAC report found that Kat’s father, former Labor MP Theo Theophanous, had secretly lobbied for a developer in exchange for donations to Kat’s 2018 campaign.
The Greens say that if true, these allegations are incredibly concerning and must urgently be addressed by the sitting member, who must return the donations.
While IBAC’s findings relate to the 2018 state election, Kat Theophanous’ campaign last year was mired in dirty tricks, with her camp coming under fire for distributing fake Liberal how-to-vote cards and flyers in an effort to bamboozle voters.
Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam, said this morning’s report cast a cloud over Kat Theophanous’ election, and that those who voted for her deserved answers.
She said it was important that Kat explain where the funding for her last two election campaigns had come from to clear any suspicion of impropriety.
Quotes attributable to Leader of the Victorian Greens, Samantha Ratnam MLC:
“There’s something rotten in the seat of Northcote.
“Last year we saw Labor resort to dirty tactics to trick voters, and now this IBAC report has raised a question mark over the integrity of Kat Theophanous’ campaign in 2018.
“The people of Northcote need answers. It’s important that Ms Theophanous urgently comes clean on the sources of funding for her last two election campaigns – to confirm that no dodgy behaviour has gone on behind closed doors.”
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens integrity spokesperson, Dr Tim Read:
“This report has laid bare the need to bring Victoria’s integrity standards up to scratch.
“Lobbyists enjoy secret relationships with MPs and as recent investigations have made clear, misconduct is rife.
“Without stronger checks and balances, including opening ministers’ diaries, how can Victorians trust in the integrity of government decisions?
“It’s time we legislated the Ministerial Code of Conduct, strengthened the power of IBAC, strengthened laws for lobbyists, and stopped the revolving door between MPs and lobbying positions.
“We currently have a bill before Parliament that would do exactly that.”