Victoria’s corrections minister has demanded an explanation from the state’s parole board chief over claims he provided advice to a person who was the subject of a ban on entering Crown Casino.
The minister, Wade Noonan, said the secretary of his justice department had written to Bill Gillard, the head of the parole board, to ask him to respond to reports that he gave the advice to Tony Madafferi.
The Age reported that Gillard advised Madafferi on how to fight a police ban on him entering the casino. Madafferi is then thought to have sent Gillard a food hamper to thank him for the advice.
Noonan said his department had spoken briefly to Gillard and that there appeared to be “some substance to these allegations”. But the corrections minister ruled out firing Gillard immediately.
“[Gillard] did not refute entirely those allegations, so it’s only right that the secretary of the department write to him in a more formal way,” Noonan said. “He’s been given until Monday to respond.
“These are allegations and it’s important for someone in my position to give Mr Gillard an opportunity to respond to these allegations, we can’t be fairer than that.”
Asked if there were any criminal implications, Noonan said: “I don’t think this is an issue of law as such, it’s an issue of trust and confidence. Obviously the adult parole board is an important institution in our justice system.”
Noonan said he would make no decision until Gillard responded to him, although removing him would involve the full cabinet.
Gillard was appointed as the parole board’s chairman in 2013. The board’s role is to oversee the release of convicted criminals. He has not responded to requests for comment.
