Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has refused to answer questions about whether he has been interviewed by the state's anti-corruption watchdog, as part of its probe into the government's dealings with the firefighters' union.
Some people who have been involved in the secretive investigation – dubbed Operation Richmond – have been sent letters that remove a special confidential order preventing them from commenting.
Mr Andrews said he did not know if he had received one of these letters and repeated that he would not comment on Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) issues.
"If you want to know what IBAC has done done or hasn't done, who they've done it with, then you should go and talk to them,'' Mr Andrews told reporters as he entered parliament on Wednesday.
IBAC said: "As a matter of practice, IBAC does not comment on whether it has a complaint or investigation before it".
Operation Richmond has been exploring the behaviour of the United Firefighters Union (UFU) and the Victorian government during negotiations over a controversial workplace agreement for the Country Fire Authority (CFA) in 2015 and 2016.
In a letter sent to witnesses that has been seen by the ABC, IBAC has noted that "Operation Richmond is nearing completion", and sources say it could report to parliament by the middle of the year.
The bitter dispute between the CFA and the union resulted in the board being sacked, with then Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett forced to resign.
The CFA had resisted the demands of the union for a new workplace agreement, warning it would undermine operations, while the UFU argued it would improve safety.
After more than a year of dispute, Mr Andrews intervened in 2016, ultimately backing the UFU.
UFU secretary Peter Marshall declined to comment on Wednesday morning.
Shadow Emergency Services Minister Brad Battin said the Premier needed to come clean on whether he or his office had been involved in the probe.
"We are sick and tired of Daniel Andrews hiding behind a veil of secrecy with the corruption that is engulfing his government,'' Mr Battin said.
"Was he interviewed? Has he given any evidence to IBAC?"
IBAC confidentiality provisions reviewed
IBAC was recently forced to reissue or revoke some confidentiality notices following a court decision.
A former police officer had successfully appealed the use of confidentiality notices.
A confidentiality notice prohibits a person from disclosing restricted matters that may prejudice an investigation, the safety or reputation of a person, or the fair trial of a person who has been or may be charged with an offence.
IBAC chief executive Marlo Baragwanath said some notices had been reissued following the Court of Appeal's decision.
"IBAC has reviewed the form of confidentiality notices it issues to ensure they address the technical aspects raised by the Court of Appeal and provide more details about the relevant restricted matter,'' he said.
"IBAC has also contacted people who had received confidentiality notices to inform them of this issue, and where necessary, reissued the confidentiality notice or advised people that they are no longer bound by the terms of confidentiality notice".
