V/Line CEO suspended amid corruption probe
The chief executive of the V/Line regional train service has been immediately suspended amid an investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC).
Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said on Thursday he had directed the V/Line board to suspend James Pinder after being made aware of the IBAC investigation on Wednesday night. No charges have been laid
V-Line CEO James Pinder has been suspended amid an IBAC investigation.Credit:Leanne Pickett
"Nick Foa, currently the head of transport services at the Department of Transport, will act as V/Line CEO while a longer term arrangement is put in place," Mr Carroll said in a statement.
Regional train services would not be affected, Mr Carroll said.
V/Line and IBAC both confirmed that an investigation was underway, but said it would be inappropriate to comment further.
It's not the first time IBAC has focused its attention on V/Line.
In 2017, as part of Operation Lansdowne, the watchdog investigated an alleged rort involving dodgy TAFE qualifications for workers at the state's regional rail operator.
The latest probe follows a blistering report into the Murray Basin Rail Project by the Victorian Auditor-General, which criticised V/Line's "deficient project planning, cost estimation, and scoping".
Construction on the troubled $440 million Murray Basin Rail Project began in 2016 but is still only half complete.
The future of the project – an upgrade of freight rail lines between Geelong and Mildura – is in doubt after money ran out last year.
Opposition transport spokesman David Davis welcomed the investigation, saying V/Line had been “run into the ground” under Mr Pinder and Labor.
“They have botched the Murray Basin Rail Project and been unable to deliver proper timetabling and punctual services,” Mr Davis said.
“Victorians are entitled to ask about the government’s management of V-Line and consequently Mr Pinder.”
Mr Pinder was appointed chief executive of V/Line in late 2016. Before that he also worked for three years as rolling stock general manager at Metro Trains Melbourne, according to his LinkedIN profile.
More to come.