Royal Commission into Victorian Construction Corruption to Open Next Week
Victoria's royal commission into construction sector corruption will hold an opening hearing next Wednesday, two months out from the state election. The inquiry, called by Premier Ben Carroll, aims to exhaustively probe corruption allegations in the sector.
Alleged corruption across Victoria's construction sector will be investigated at a royal commission, with the opening hearing set to take place next Wednesday.
The hearing is expected to determine the next steps for the inquiry, which was called by Premier Ben Carroll in July as an exhaustive probe into corruption allegations "as soon as possible".
Royal Commission Terms of Reference
The royal commission's terms of reference are broad and expansive, with nothing off limits, according to Premier Carroll.
"The terms of reference are broad. They are expansive. Nothing is off limits," he said.
The inquiry will examine the extent of corruption on major infrastructure projects, the effectiveness of oversight from government bodies, and actions contractors took to mitigate risks.
Commission's Timeline and Budget
The royal commission is expected to report back to the state government by August next year, with a budget of $50 million dollars.
Former South Australian Supreme Court chief justice Christopher Kourakis will head up the commission, which has appointed a chief executive officer and legal counsel.
Senior public servant and administrator Emma Catford will serve as the commission's chief executive, while senior barristers Chris Young and Christopher Carr have been appointed as counsel assisting the commission.
Mr. Kourakis said those appointees brought "deep experience" across administrative and public law.
Upcoming Hearings and Inquiries
The commission's schedule for public hearings will be published at a later date, with hearings to be live streamed unless there is a direction to the contrary.
The royal commission will inquire into corruption, criminal conduct, and serious misconduct on construction sites.
Premier Carroll has faced questions from the opposition over whether the inquiry will be properly empowered to uncover the impact of corruption in the sector, which anti-corruption barrister Geoffrey Watson has previously estimated cost Victorian taxpayers up to $15 billion.