National

Corruption charges linked to state's train service

By Duncan Murray

Oct 8, 2026

Trains in Melbourne — Two people have been charged over staffing contracts for Victoria's Metro railway system. -AAP Image

A state's rail service was allegedly deliberately understaffed so a third party labour hire company could make money from corruptly issued contracts.

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Two people have been charged over staffing contracts for Victoria's Metro railway system, the state's corruption watchdog revealed on Thursday.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission has brought charges against a senior manager at Metro Trains Melbourne and a former labour hire company director.

IBAC will allege the ex-senior manager misused their position at Metro Trains Melbourne to favour labour hire company First Call Staffing for contracts associated with rail replacement bus services and printing.

It will be further alleged the pair conspired to undersupply staff, to financially benefit First Call Staffing.

The ex-senior manager has been charged with three counts of misconduct in public office and three counts of conspiracy to defraud while the company director faces three counts of conspiracy to defraud.

According to IBAC the charges stem from Operation Goyder which commenced in May 2022.

Operation Goyder was launched to investigate allegations of corrupt conduct in contract management at Metro Trains Melbourne between October 2020 and March 2023.

The former Metro senior manager and company director are expected to front Melbourne Magistrates' Court on 21 and 20 of October respectively.

IBAC said as the matter is before the court it would not provide further public comment.

First Call Staffing went into liquidation on 24 November 2023, according to the Australian Securities and Investment Commission.Â