Victoria's new royal commission into construction sector corruption began with its first hearing in Melbourne. Premier Ben Carroll initiated the inquiry in July, promising an exhaustive investigation with broad terms of reference covering issues like corruption on infrastructure projects and oversight effectiveness. Headed by former South Australian Supreme Court chief justice Christopher Kourakis, the commission has a $50 million budget and will examine all relevant parties, including current and past ministers.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-09-23,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Big Build royal commission in Victoria opened its first public hearing on Wednesday, focusing on alleged corruption within government construction projects. Former South Australian chief justice Chris Kourakis, appointed to lead the inquiry with a budget of $50 million, emphasized his commitment to an exhaustive investigation during an August briefing.
Confidential documents from June 21, 2023, revealed that then-transport minister Jacinta Allan was aware of serious concerns regarding union tactics and potential criminal infiltration on taxpayer-funded projects. These allegations include issues such as organized crime figures appearing at construction sites and the presence of outlaw motorcycle gang members.
The inquiry, which covers infrastructure worth an estimated $150 billion, has already conducted closed hearings following its launch in August. It aims to address a range of issues including the extent of corruption on major projects, the effectiveness of government oversight, and actions taken by contractors to mitigate risks. Notably, former premier Allan will be required to give evidence as part of the inquiry.
The opening hearing underscored the significance of this investigation for Victoria's construction sector, indicating that key figures from both current and previous administrations may face scrutiny during subsequent hearings.
Written for “Big Build Royal Commission Opens” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 4 other(s) covering the same event.
The royal commission into corruption in Victoria's construction sector has begun with its first open hearing in Melbourne.
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commission → begin → Melbourne
The hearing, in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court, is expected to address the inquiry's terms of reference and next steps before witnesses are called at later hearings.
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witnesses → expect → hearings
Ben Carroll called the royal commission in his first act as premier in July, promising an exhaustive inquiry into the corruption allegations "as soon as possible".
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Carroll → call → allegations
Mr Carroll unveiled the inquiry's terms of reference in August, describing them as expansive.
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Carroll → unveil → them
Nothing is off limits," he said at the time.
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he → say → time
They include the extent of corruption on major infrastructure projects, the effectiveness of oversight from government bodies and actions contractors took to mitigate risks.
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contractors → include → risks
Former South Australian Supreme Court chief justice Christopher Kourakis is heading up the commission, which has a budget of $50 million.
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which → head → million
In August, Mr Kourakis said the commission would be looking at issues "very important to all Victorians".
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commission → say → Victorians
"I am deeply conscious of the responsibility with which I have been entrusted," he said in a statement released through the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
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he → entrust → Premier
"The royal commission will undertake its work independently and rigorously.
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commission → undertake → work
We will follow the evidence and ensure our processes are fair, thorough and transparent."
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processes → follow → evidence
Mr Carroll committed to the royal commission after toppling his predecessor Jacinta Allan, who had long refused to call an inquiry despite internal pressure.
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who → commit → pressure
The Victorian opposition has persistently criticised the terms of reference, saying they allowed former premiers Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan to avoid being hauled before the commission.
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However, Mr Carroll rejected the suggestion Ms Allan or Mr Andrews would not be called, having confirmed that ministers and former premiers would be fair game under the terms.
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"Anyone and everyone can be called.
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These are the most comprehensive, broadest terms possible," he said in August.
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"We're going to make sure that we leave no stone unturned."
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we → go → stone
The royal commission comes after an explosive report into the CFMEU released by the Queensland Commission of Inquiry in February.
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commission → come → February
In it, author Geoffrey Watson SC alleged the Victorian branch of the CFMEU descended into a "violent, hateful and greedy rabble" under former boss John Setka.
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branch → allege → Setka
Mr Watson estimated that the actions of the CFMEU had cost the Victorian taxpayer around $15 billion — a figure that was strongly disputed by Ms Allan at the time.
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that → estimate → time
Mr Watson said the terms of reference for the royal commission were "really excellently done" and he dismissed criticism by the Victorian opposition.
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he → say → opposition
"I think they're very well designed, quite targeted, and sufficiently specific," he said.
"
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I think it's a mistake for people to go out and start undermining confidence in the commission before it starts.
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it → think → commission
"After all, this is a process through which we're hoping the confidence in government will be rebuilt.
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confidence → hop → government
I do not know why, and I might make another point: the criticism is incorrect.
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"
The commission is expected to report to the state government by August next year.
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commission → expect → August
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