www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au
Investigation
59.When conducting an investigation pursuant to section 16 of the Ombudsman Act, I have the power to summon witnesses, require the production of documents and interview any person under oath or affirmation who has information relevant to my investigation. This includes the power to interview and obtain information from any person I believe may be able to assist with my investigation, including publicofficers,membersofparliament,ministers,ministerialandmediaadvisers, private individuals and entities.
60.Within a short period of commencing my investigation, my officers had interviewed Ms Peta Duke, the media adviser responsible for Mr Madden’s media plan.
61.During the course of my investigation, my officers formally interviewed 38 witnesses and examined extensive documentation and computer records obtained from various government departments, statutory authorities, a municipal council, private individuals and entities. The then ministerial and media advisers, including Mr Justin Jarvis, Mr George Svigos, and Ms Peta Duke were interviewed. All witnesses cooperated with my investigation and all were interviewed on oath or affirmation. All interviews from my investigation were audio recorded and quotations used in this report were taken from this source.
62.The list of interviewees included:
Mr Jason Agnoletto, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Mr Matt Ainsaar, Managing Director, Urban Enterprise Pty Ltd
Associate Professor Michael Buxton, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Mr Carlo Carli, former member of parliament for Brunswick
Mr Mark Chester, SJB Planning Councillor Peter Clarke, City of Melbourne
Mr Glenn Coupar, Development Manager, Halim Group
Ms Joanne Day, Manager, Heritage Permits & Consents, Heritage Victoria Ms Sofia Dedes, former Media Adviser to Mr Madden
Ms Prue Digby, Deputy Secretary, Department of Planning and Community Development
Ms Sarah Dolan, then Media Unit Manager, Mr Brumby’s Private Office Ms Peta Duke, then Media Adviser to Mr Madden
Mr Jim Gard’ner, Executive Director, Heritage Victoria Mr Adipoetra Halim, Director, The Halim Group
Ms Gail Hall, Senior Planning Officer, City of Melbourne
Mr John Henshall, Economic Consultant, Essential Economics Pty Ltd Mr David Hodge, Executive Director, Planning Services and Development Facilitation, Department of Planning and Community Development
Mr Justin Jarvis, then Chief of Staff to Mr Madden
Mr Stephen Leitch, Senior Planning Officer, Department of Planning and Community Development
Professor Miles Lewis, University of Melbourne
Mr Geoffrey London, Victorian Government Architect The Hon Justin Madden MP, former Minister for Planning
Mrs Judy Maddigan, former member of parliament for Essendon Mr Stephen Marks, Director of Probity Services, RSM Bird Cameron Ms Kathryn Mitchell, Chief Panel Member, Planning Panels Victoria