Victorian minister’s ‘temper’ may have contributed to cover up of $257m bad pandemic payments: IBAC

Key points

• Victoria's anti-corruption commission, IBAC, has found senior public servants hid wrongful pandemic support payments totalling $257 million to more than 9000 ineligible businesses. The investigation found the associate secretary and deputy secretary withheld information from the department's secretary and from Minister Martin Pakula.
• IBAC said Mr Pakula's temper may have discouraged staff from reporting the problem.
• IBAC said it would not pursue criminal charges, but said ministers must be mindful of how their conduct affects public servants giving frank advice.