Developer John Woodman leaving an IBAC hearing in 2019.Credit:Justin McManus
Mr Staindl said that in 2015 he and Mr Woodman had direct discussions with Mr Andrews,who had become Premier the previous year,about a project known as Aviators Field at Point Cook in Melbourne’s west.
Asked in December about his relationship with Mr Woodman,Mr Andrews denied he had ever discussed individual planning matters with the developer."If[Mr Woodman] had raised an individual planning matter with me,then the meeting would have been over,"the Premier said.
Mr Staindl also confirmed to the inquiry that Mr Woodman had met with Mr Andrews before the 2014 election and on multiple occasions in 2015. Some discussions occurred at a Labor fundraiser for MPs in Melbourne’s"sandbelt",in the city's south-east,he said.
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A spokesperson for Mr Andrews said:"As this matter is ongoing,it would be inappropriate to comment."
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission’sOperation Sandon is investigating land deals in Melbourne's south-east,particularlya plan to rezone property in Cranbourne West,within the City of Casey.
Mr Woodman has been accused of bribing two Casey councillors,Liberal-linked former mayors Sam Aziz and Geoff Ablett,in a bid to get that land changed from an industrial zoning to the more lucrative residential. The council has been sacked.