Victorians have a right to feel disappointed and angry that the ALP siphoned almost $400,000 of taxpayers’ money to help secure its unexpected victory in the 2014 state election, and then spent a further $1 million on a legal tilt to block the Victorian Ombudsman from investigating.

“Trust in our politicians is declining and diminishes further with allegations of misuse of public funds,'' she said. ''The public debate in this case confirms the importance of an independent body able to investigate allegations without fear or favour when the integrity of MPs is called into question.”

It is obvious that the powers of the Ombudsman’s office should be strengthened. Ms Glass is right to make clear her frustration at the roadblocks placed in the way of her office's scrutiny by legal appeals and the Legislative Assembly's assertion that she could not investigate its members.

Governments cannot hope to maintain integrity if they thwart the work of their own independent watchdogs.

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victorians-have-a-right-to-be-outrag...

Role of the Ombudsman

The Victorian Ombudsman is an independent officer of the Victorian Parliament whose principal function is to enquire into and investigate administrative actions taken in or by Victorian state government departments, agencies and local councils. The office was established in 1973.

https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/About/Our-policies/Policies/Role-of-the-Ombudsm...

Call me Dan did say his government would be one where transparency would be part of its charter.

Don't pull that thing too hard Dan or it might detach from your body.