Key facts
- Jacinta Allan knew of allegations that criminals and bikies were on state projects as early as June 2023.
- Two confidential briefings in June 2023 warned of challenging industrial relations and "concerning behaviour" on major transport infrastructure projects.
- Allegations included union pressure for additional staff and the presence of outlaw motorcycle club members and convicted criminals on worksites.
- One briefing mentioned a "person was recently shot with a bolt gun off site but in a work context".
- Allan referred the allegations to then Victoria police commissioner Shane Patton on June 23, 2023.
- The royal commission is investigating corruption, criminal conduct, and misconduct on $150 billion in Big Build projects.
The opening public hearing of the royal commission into Victoria’s Big Build has revealed that then-minister Jacinta Allan was aware of allegations concerning the presence of criminals and bikies on state infrastructure projects as early as June 2023. The inquiry, officially named the royal commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction, has already conducted closed hearings since its August launch and plans further public sessions during the upcoming state election campaign.
During Wednesday's hearing, two briefings from June 2023 were presented. The first, which Allan did not sign, warned of a "highly challenging" industrial relations environment on Major Transport Infrastructure Authority (MTIA) projects, citing "concerning behaviour" that could impact costs and schedules. This included union pressure for additional staff and the potential presence of "criminal elements (for example outlaw motorcycle club members and convicted criminals)" on worksites.
The second briefing, signed by Allan, detailed allegations of Toby Mitchell, a former Mongols motorcycle club member, being present on a construction site, along with known Bandidos members and "known ex-criminals," some reportedly wearing ankle monitors. It also mentioned an incident where a "person was recently shot with a bolt gun off site but in a work context."
Allan referred these allegations to then Victoria police commissioner Shane Patton on June 23, 2023, citing the potential seriousness of criminal activity on major infrastructure project sites. Counsel assisting the commissioner, Chris Young KC, stated that Allan would have the opportunity to respond to the allegations during the inquiry.
The commission is tasked with investigating corruption, criminal conduct, and serious misconduct across the $150 billion Big Build projects. Counsel assisting, Christopher Carr SC, indicated that the inquiry would conduct a "careful economic analysis" of taxpayer money lost to corruption, noting that a previously cited figure of $15 billion was a "guesstimate." Carr also highlighted a 2026 report signed by Allan that approved an $837 million payment to a construction consortium, which included $200 million for excess labour allegedly not required but paid due to union demands and a lack of government pushback. This suggests, Carr noted, that corruption costs could indeed be in the billions.
Commissioner Christopher Kourakis stated that several closed hearings had already taken place to gather sensitive information without compromising ongoing investigations, but vowed to hold as many public hearings as possible. He pledged to "leave no stone unturned" and pursue "everyone" suspected of complicity, with potential referrals for prosecution. Unions, construction consortiums, subcontractors, and the government were all put on notice, with Kourakis stating there should be "no place... for those persons whose moral compass malfunctions."