Key facts
- Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed criminals operated on some of Victoria's Big Build construction sites.
- Allan rejected calls for a royal commission into alleged corruption, citing past inquiries' ineffectiveness.
- Allegations suggest money from the Big Build was paid to gangland figures.
- Reports indicate potential ministerial pressure on a rail consortium to deal with the CFMEU.
- Allan highlighted strengthened police powers and regulatory actions as the correct approach.
- The opposition leader advocated for a royal commission to address alleged misuse of public funds.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has acknowledged that criminal elements infiltrated some of the state's major construction projects, referred to as the Big Build. In an opinion piece, Allan stated that violence, intimidation, and organized criminal behavior occurred, which she deemed shocking and unacceptable, while also expressing regret that it happened on taxpayer-funded projects. However, she has rejected growing calls for a royal commission into alleged corruption involving unions and labour hire companies.
Allan argued that a royal commission would not effectively change behavior or culture on worksites, referencing a previous inquiry into trade unions that was costly and resulted in only one criminal conviction. Instead, she pointed to strengthened powers given to Victoria Police, which have led to over 90 criminal charges, and the Labour Hire Authority's cancellation of 164 construction licenses as more effective measures. She also noted the administration of the CFMEU and its expulsion from the Victorian Labor Party.
Despite Allan's stance, allegations persist that money from the Big Build was channeled to gangland figures and that the government was warned of cost overruns due to CFMEU demands. Reports also suggested potential pressure from Allan's office during her tenure as transport infrastructure minister, influencing a rail consortium to engage with the CFMEU on a level crossing removal project, reportedly leading to the union imposing its preferred labour hire company. The state opposition leader, Jess Wilson, countered Allan's position in a separate opinion piece, asserting that a royal commission is necessary to expose how $15 billion of public money was allegedly misused and to prevent recurrence.