‘Significant changes at V/Line’ ahead of IBAC hearings: Minister

Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan says there have been “significant changes in senior management” at the state’s regional rail operator, ahead of corruption hearings next week.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission inquiry will turn its attention to V/Line on Monday, after probing the allegedly corrupt awarding of engineering qualifications by the Bendigo Kangan and South West TAFEs.

Three senior Kangan staff were suspended this week as a result of the Operation Lansdowne hearings.

Speaking in Bendigo on Friday, Ms Allan said while the government would wait for the IBAC proceedings to conclude before offering an official response, some “lessons have been learned”.

“Obviously it’s difficult to comment on the IBAC hearings that have been under way and are ongoing, however, I do know that there have been significant changes in senior management over the last little while,” she said.

“Certainly lessons have been learned and we do need to wait for the IBAC process to conclude so that we can see their recommendations and further respond.”

The Operation Lansdowne hearings resume in Melbourne on Monday.