Key facts
- Victoria's royal commission into the construction sector will have "nothing off limits" to investigate.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has announced a sweeping royal commission into the state's construction sector, stating "nothing is off limits" and confirming former premiers and ministers could be called to face public hearings. The inquiry, led by former Chief Justice Chris Kourakis, will investigate corruption and misconduct on major public infrastructure projects.
The establishment of this royal commission signals a significant move by the Victorian government to address alleged corruption and misconduct within its major public infrastructure projects, potentially impacting major unions, construction companies, and past government officials. The broad scope and powers granted to the inquiry suggest a thorough investigation into the integrity of taxpayer-fun
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has launched a broad royal commission into the state's construction sector, vowing that "nothing is off limits" and indicating that former premiers and ministers could be summoned to public hearings. The inquiry, formally named the Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects in Victoria, aims to address allegations of "grift, thuggery, misogyny, and violence" on taxpayer-funded building sites.
Chris Kourakis, a former chief justice of South Australia, has been appointed as the independent commissioner. He is granted coercive powers to compel the production of documents and witness testimony, supported by a $50 million budget, with a final report due by August 20, 2027. The commission will scrutinize the extent of corruption, criminal conduct, or serious misconduct by entities including the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), construction companies, subcontractors, and labour hire firms.
Additionally, the inquiry will assess whether government departments and project delivery agencies adequately fulfilled their oversight responsibilities. A key aspect will be considering measures to recoup taxpayer funds lost to corruption or misconduct. The terms of reference explicitly exclude lawful actions taken under industrial relations and occupational health and safety laws, though the misuse of these regulations may be examined.
Carroll emphasized that the commissioner, not the government, will determine who is relevant to the investigation, including ministers and former ministers. Public funding for legal representation for these individuals is considered standard procedure. The CFMEU, through its administrator Michael Crosby, stated its intention to cooperate fully and urged the commission to broaden its investigation beyond the union to include developers, head contractors, and others who may have profited from unethical behavior.
This initiative follows Carroll's first act as premier to announce the inquiry. He also plans to introduce legislation for a special prosecutor and enhanced powers for the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) before the upcoming state election. Carroll's predecessor, Jacinta Allan, had previously rejected calls for a royal commission, a stance that contributed to internal party challenges.