'Nothing to probe' over Ashby's claims

Victorian Premier John Brumby remains defiant in the face of calls for an
independent investigation into claims a minister was involved in a police corruption
scandal.

Roads Minister Tim Pallas is under fire over allegations he tipped former top cop
Noel Ashby off about a secret police investigation.
Ashby resigned from Victoria Police in 2007 after the Office of Police Integrity
(OPI) accused him of leaking sensitive police information to former Police
Association secretary Paul Mullett.
Leaked documents allege Mr Pallas met with Ashby in April 2007 and warned the former
assistant police commissioner to "be careful" when speaking to Mullett on the
telephone.
OPI investigations are secret and cannot legally be discussed.
Mr Pallas has consistently and vehemently denied the allegations, admitting the
meeting took place but saying it was about road and tunnel safety.
And the premier has backed him.
"Tim is an excellent minister and enjoys my full support," Mr Brumby told reporters
on Tuesday.
He refused to say if he would sack Mr Pallas if the claims were proven to be true,
saying that was "hypothetical".
He said it was not appropriate for him to be the "judge, jury, prosecutor and
defence" whenever claims about ministers were made in the media.
"He's made it clear to me that these claims don't have substance," the premier said.
But the opposition is demanding a full, independent inquiry into the allegations,
saying the truth will never be known without it.
Liberal leader Ted Baillieu said the matter was too serious to be ignored.
"This goes to the very integrity of government and can't just be swept under the
carpet," Mr Baillieu said.
He demanded a broad-based, independent anti-corruption commission be established
with a special investigator looking into the claims.
But Mr Brumby rejected that.
He repeatedly asserted the claims could be investigated by the OPI or the Ombudsman,
and noted "credible" evidence was needed before any sort of investigation could be
launched.
"They have very, very comprehensive powers," Mr Brumby said of the OPI and the
Ombudsman.
" ... any time anyone makes any allegations about anyone in the government, you
think the premier of the day should bring in an independent investigator?
"Gee, that's what our judicial system does."
He hit back at Mr Baillieu, saying the opposition was "all over the place".
"They've got no credible position, their only position is political opportunism."
Further details of the closeness of the relationship between Ashby and the
government emerged on Tuesday with Mr Pallas admitting he socialised with Ashby in
and outside work hours.
He said the prospect of Ashby being pre-selected for the ALP had at one time been
discussed by party powerbrokers.
The pre-selection never eventuated.
"He was viewed as a very competent police officer who I had respect for, that's the
truth of the matter," Mr Pallas said of Ashby on ABC Radio.
Mr Brumby's only comment on those claims was that it was a "long, long time ago".
Ashby did not want to comment on the record on Tuesday.
Both Ashby and Mullett face numerous court charges relating to the leaking of
confidential information in relation to a murder investigation.