Victoria's premier acknowledges criminal corruption in Big Build infrastructure projects

Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan has admitted that criminals gained access to major government construction sites as part of the state's Big Build programme. A Queensland inquiry estimated this criminal activity cost Victorian taxpayers around $15 billion. In response, authorities cancelled 164 licences held by construction firms, and police laid 93 charges against people involved in illegal behaviour on building sites. The construction union CFMEU was placed under administration and cut from the Victorian Labor Party. Companies working on government projects must now report any suspected criminal conduct. Allan refused to hold a royal commission, saying past inquiries had failed to fix problems and had instead focused unfairly on workers. Opposition parties disagreed, calling for either a royal commission or a freeze on infrastructure funding.