The Victorian premier on Thursday unveiled details of the inquiry – while acknowledging there had been “grift”, “thuggery” and “violence” on taxpayer-funded building sites – after the governor signed the letters patent formally establishing the commission earlier in the morning. Chris Kourakis, the former chief justice of South Australia, whom Carroll described as “independent, rigorous and fearless”, has been appointed commissioner. Kourakis, who has been given coercive powers to compel the production of information, including cabinet documents, and the attendance of witnesses, has been given a $50m budget and must report to the government by 20 August 2027.
The inquiry has been formally named the Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects in Victoria. Carroll said the inquiry followed allegations of wrongdoing by the CFMEU and others connected to the Big Build, first reported by Nine newspapers in 2024. I have zero tolerance for that,” he told reporters.
It will also examine whether government departments and project delivery agencies “adequately adhered” to their responsibilities in overseeing the projects. The inquiry will consider whether measures could be taken to “recoup” taxpayer funds that were “misappropriated or received as a result of corruption, criminal conduct or serious misconduct”. However, “lawful, legitimate and appropriate actions taken” under industrial relations and occupational health and safety laws are outside the inquiry’s scope.
The commission can examine whether those laws or regulations were misused. Carroll said the terms of reference make it a matter for the commissioner to decide whose actions and knowledge are relevant to the matters under investigation. The commissioner,” he said.
He also confirmed their legal representation – and that of former ministers – will be publicly funded, which he described as “standard procedure”. The shadow attorney general, James Newbury, said Carroll should “guarantee” both Jacinta Allan and Daniel Andrews would be “hauled before this commission” prior to the November election. Newbury also described Carroll’s decision to establish the royal commission as a “political fix minutes before the election”.
Carroll denied he was driven by self-interest, saying: “This is about the future of our state and valuing taxpayer dollars.” In a short statement, Kourakis said he was “deeply conscious of the responsibility with which I have been entrusted” and said the royal commission will undertake its work “independently and rigorously”. The CFMEU administrator, Michael Crosby, said in a statement it would “fully cooperate” with the royal commission. He said while “significant public attention” had been focused on the union, “misconduct is not confined to one organisation”.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
