By Cam Lucadou-Wells
Liberal ex-MP Inga Peulich was expected to “go into bat” for a developer during a push to rezone Green Wedge land in Baxter in 2014, an IBAC hearing has been told.
At the time, developer Watsons was lobbying for 42 hectares of ex-farmland at Stotts Lane to be rezoned for housing.
According to an email chain in February 2014, Watsons director Heath Woodman – son of IBAC witness John Woodman – prepared a briefing note on the matter.
Watsons’ Liberal lobbyist Geoff Leigh was to “personally” hand-deliver the notes onto Ms Peulich, who was to pass them to then Planning Minister Matthew Guy, IBAC heard.
IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich originally asked Mr Leigh about whether it was appropriate to request Ms Peulich to pass on the notes to Frankston councillors – which he later corrected to mean “taking the matter up” with the minister.
“And she may have or may not,” Mr Leigh said.
“But the point was the minister said no.”
Heath Woodman writes in an email to Mr Leigh requesting for Ms Peulich to make sure “we don’t have a problem with authorisation” from Mr Guy.
“If you can reiterate this to her politely that would be great,” Mr Woodman wrote.
Mr Leigh agreed “perhaps” with IBAC counsel assisting, Michael Tovey’s assertion that Mr Woodman expected Ms Peulich to be “going into bat for him on that issue”.
Mr Tovey asserted that Ms Peulich appeared “significantly involved” in Mr Leigh’s lobbying strategy for Stotts Lane.
In a 2014 email, Mr Leigh sets out a detailed strategy based on discussions with “Inga” and his business partner and ALP lobbyist Phil Staindl.
“Will discuss with Inga a bit more tomorrow night.”
Mr Tovey asserted: “Was it the case that she was significantly involved in assisting you with the strategy to be used in respect of the Stotts Lane?”
“Not necessarily so at all,” Mr Leigh said.
“Because Inga and I, if you check with anybody you like to know, often have serious disagreements about things.
“With great respect, Mr Tovey, you’re making it out like there’s some sort of sinister game going on, and it’s not.
“It’s just asking for someone’s advice.”
Mr Leigh said there was an element of “bluff” in the email.
“Mrs Peulich probably thought it was – economically it was something worth pursuing based on her own community’s benefit or whatever.”
Mr Leigh described Ms Peulich as a “friend” that he’d known for a long period.
IBAC heard that Mr Leigh and his then business partner and ALP lobbyist Philip Staindl were offered a success fee by Watsons, but were ultimately unsuccessful.
Watsons paid Mr Leigh and Mr Staindl $500,000 each as a success fee after Brompton Lodge land was rezoned in Cranbourne in 2014.
In a final statement at IBAC, Mr Leigh said he didn’t know why IBAC hadn’t called Heath Woodman.
“If I’m accountable for any of this then so is he – if I’ve done anything inappropriate. I don’t think we did.”
Mr Leigh added that “we’re all waiting for the one person that you haven’t called who had dinner with John Woodman”.
“And that’s the Premier (Daniel Andrews).”
Star News is not suggesting that Ms Peulich has been involved in any impropriety.
