Arabic version: بدء جلسات الهيئة الملكية للتحقيق في مشروع «بيغ بيلد» في فيكتوريا الأربعاء
According to The Guardian, the Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects in Victoria will hold an opening hearing in Melbourne on Wednesday. The inquiry will examine allegations of corruption connected with Victorian government construction sites and the Big Build, a pipeline of more than 180 major road and rail projects.
The commission was the first commitment made by Premier Ben Carroll after he became Labor leader in July. In August, Carroll released its terms of reference and appointed former South Australian chief justice Chris Kourakis to lead it. The inquiry follows reporting by Nine newspapers on alleged wrongdoing by the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union and others connected to the Big Build.
Under its terms of reference, the commission will investigate the extent to which “corruption, criminal conduct or serious misconduct” occurred on major projects involving the CFMEU, construction companies, subcontractors, labour-hire firms and others. It will also consider whether government departments and project delivery agencies adequately met their responsibilities, and whether taxpayer money can be recouped where it was misappropriated or received through wrongdoing.
Kourakis has a $50m budget and coercive powers to compel information, including cabinet documents, and require witnesses to attend. Chris Young KC and Christopher Carr SC have been appointed as counsel assisting. The commission must report to the government by 20 August 2027. Its opening hearing is expected to be largely administrative, with public hearings in the Melbourne magistrates court to be live streamed where appropriate.
Carroll has said the commissioner can call ministers, former ministers, senior officials, union leaders and company executives if their actions or knowledge are relevant. He confirmed that premiers and former premiers could be called, although no witness list has been released. Guardian Australia understands the commission would continue if the Coalition wins government in November, with a future Coalition government proposing two additional commissioners and a broader scope.
