Calls Intensify for Major Inquiry into Victoria's Big Build Amid Corruption Allegations

A prominent public policy academic is calling for a "Queensland-style" commission of inquiry into Victoria's Big Build infrastructure program following ongoing allegations of union corruption.

David Hayward, an emeritus professor of public policy and the social economy at RMIT University, expressed that he was "perplexed as to why we haven't had an inquiry" following a series of newspaper articles detailing alleged corruption linked to the major construction projects.

Pressure Mounts on State Government

Earlier this month, Premier Jacinta Allan issued a written apology regarding the Big Build allegations. "We now know that criminals operated on some of Victoria's construction sites," Allan stated. However, she rejected calls for a royal commission in the same statement, asserting that the culture on Victorian worksites was already undergoing change.

In contrast, Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has committed to establishing a royal commission if the Victorian Coalition wins the election in November.

Dr. Hayward argued that a Victorian probe is necessary, pointing to a redacted report from Queensland's Commission of Inquiry into the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) released in February, alongside ongoing media reporting.

In the February report, author Geoffrey Watson SC asserted that Victoria's CFMEU branch had degenerated into a "violent, hateful and greedy rabble" under its former leader, John Setka.

Need to 'Set the Record Straight'

"We've had an apology from the premier, but it does look like on the face of it that we need an inquiry," Dr. Hayward said. "I've read all of those stories. I've read the report for the administrator on the CFMEU, and I'm not sure that it amounts to as big a story as it seems. So again, I'm a bit perplexed as to why we haven't had an inquiry to set the record straight."

He suggested bringing in financial experts to assess the extent of any waste. "My guess is it's actually pretty small. I think the bigger issue is how much has gone into the wrong hands. And we really need an inquiry to try and get to the bottom of that," he added.

According to Dr. Hayward, an inquiry is also crucial to restoring public confidence in democratic institutions ahead of the upcoming November election.

"A major concern of mine at the moment is the role that all this is happening in people's trust in the political system," he said. "We have seen the rise of far-right parties across the West, and it reflects a disillusionment with the political system, which many people now see as self-serving."

"I think we need a committee of inquiry of some type to get to the bottom of it to assure people that yes, their money does matter, it's important, and it's being well spent on good things for the community," Dr. Hayward said.

Integrity Leaders Align on Call for Action

Dr. Hayward's comments align with those of other prominent integrity figures who have recently called for a formal investigation. Former Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass and former Victorian Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commissioner (IBAC) Robert Redlich jointly advocated for a royal commission during an interview last month.

Mr. Redlich, who directed IBAC from 2018 to 2022, described the situation as an unprecedented issue. "This is an unprecedented, historic scandal. I know of no scandal that's involved the sort of public wastage that's involved here," he said. "And it's only a royal commission that can root out all of the causes, all of the reasons why the checks and balances that are in place, have failed."

Ms. Glass, who served as Ombudsman from 2014 to 2024, stated in an interview last month that "eye-watering amounts of public money" were being directed to the Big Build, meaning the corruption allegations require thorough scrutiny.

"That's all you've got — a royal commission," Ms. Glass said in June, noting that existing integrity bodies lack the capacity to address the allegations.

However, Premier Allan has maintained that any credible evidence of illegal activity should be referred to law enforcement. "After all this time, if there is any evidence of any allegation of criminal behaviour that includes corruption and extortion, I don't understand why that wouldn't immediately be handed to Victoria Police," the Premier said last month.