Victoria’s royal commission into the integrity of the state’s major infrastructure projects has held its first public hearing, with counsel assisting the inquiry outlining allegations of criminal infiltration on Big Build sites and flagging that “no stone” would be left unturned. The commission was told the inquiry has already conducted closed hearings since its establishment in August, and intends to hold further public hearings during the lead-up to November’s state election.
For a state that has poured an estimated $150 billion into level crossing removals, the Metro Tunnel, the West Gate Tunnel and dozens of other projects, the commission’s work is being watched closely by industry, unions and government alike. Here is what was said on day one, and what it means for Victorians trying to make sense of the process.
What is this royal commission actually investigating? #
The inquiry’s full title is the royal commission into the integrity of major public and civil infrastructure construction projects in Victoria. It was established to examine allegations of corruption and criminal conduct across the state’s infrastructure pipeline, including claims that construction unions allowed individuals with criminal associations, including outlaw motorcycle gang members, onto publicly funded worksites.
Counsel assisting the commission told the first public hearing that the inquiry would examine how contracts are awarded, how union influence operates on major sites, and whether existing oversight mechanisms have been adequate to detect and prevent misconduct. The commission was told these matters would be tested through evidence from witnesses, including former union officials, government representatives and industry figures, in hearings expected to run over coming months.
What was revealed about the Premier’s knowledge of the allegations #
The hearing was told Premier Jacinta Allan was made aware of allegations concerning the construction union’s alleged tolerance of criminal figures, including bikie-linked individuals, on state projects as early as 2023. Counsel assisting outlined this timeline as part of the commission’s opening remarks, indicating it would be a focus of evidence to come.
It is important to be precise about what has and has not been established. The commission was told allegations existed and were reportedly known to government as early as 2023 — that is a statement about when concerns were raised, not a finding that any wrongdoing occurred. A royal commission is an inquiry, not a criminal trial or a court making findings of guilt. It can make recommendations and adverse findings against conduct, but it cannot convict anyone of a criminal offence. Any conduct that the commission considers may be criminal can be referred to police or prosecuting authorities for separate consideration.
The “moral compass” comment #
Much of the early commentary from the opening hearing centred on characterisations of a cultural problem within parts of the construction sector — commentary from counsel assisting reportedly described failures of governance and individual conduct in terms of a “moral compass malfunction” on the part of some within the industry. VCN notes this was descriptive language used in the context of outlining the scope of the inquiry, rather than a finding against any individual or organisation.
The commission was told it intends to examine whether union officials, contractors or government representatives turned a blind eye to, or actively facilitated, the presence of people with alleged criminal associations on major projects. No individual has been named in a finding of wrongdoing at this early stage, and the inquiry’s public hearings are expected to test these claims through sworn evidence.
Closed hearings and the timing question #
One of the more significant revelations from the opening session was confirmation that the commission has already held closed-door hearings since it was launched in August. Closed hearings are sometimes used by royal commissions to protect sensitive information, ongoing police investigations, or the identity of witnesses who may fear reprisal — this is not unusual for inquiries dealing with allegations involving organised crime figures.
The commission also confirmed it plans to hold public hearings during the state election campaign in November. This timing has inevitably raised questions about the political sensitivity of the inquiry, given the government itself will be the subject of scrutiny over what it knew and when. VCN makes no suggestion of impropriety in the scheduling — commissions set their own hearing calendars based on the evidence and witnesses available, and the government does not control that timetable.
Why this matters for everyday Victorians #
Big Build projects touch almost every part of Victoria — commuters using the Metro Tunnel, motorists navigating level crossing removals, and taxpayers ultimately funding a pipeline of works worth an estimated $150 billion. Allegations that criminal figures may have had influence over how public money is spent on these projects go to the heart of public trust in major infrastructure delivery.
If the commission’s eventual findings identify systemic failures — whether in union oversight, government contract management, or law enforcement responses — those findings could lead to changes in how Victoria awards and monitors public infrastructure contracts. Recommendations from royal commissions have previously led to legislative reform, and this inquiry has been given a broad mandate to examine practices across the sector, not just isolated incidents.
What happens next #
The commission is expected to continue hearing evidence in the coming weeks and months, with further public hearings flagged before the state election in November. Witnesses expected to give evidence include figures from the construction union movement, government departments responsible for infrastructure delivery, and potentially law enforcement representatives who can speak to intelligence around organised crime infiltration of the sector.
VCN will continue to report on the commission’s public hearings as they occur. Consistent with our standard practice, any individual named in evidence before the commission is entitled to a presumption that allegations against them remain unproven unless and until a formal finding is made. Where the commission’s findings touch on conduct that may also be the subject of separate criminal proceedings, those matters will be reported separately and with the same care.
- The royal commission was established in August to examine corruption and criminal conduct allegations across Victoria’s infrastructure pipeline.
- Counsel assisting told the first public hearing that allegations of union tolerance for bikie-linked and criminal figures on Big Build sites would be examined.
- The commission confirmed it has already held closed hearings and plans further public hearings during the November election campaign.
- No findings of wrongdoing have yet been made against any individual or organisation.
Eliza Hartman covers courts and governance for VCN, including oversight of major infrastructure and IBAC-related matters. This is an ongoing inquiry and VCN will update this coverage as further evidence is heard.
The commission’s work is continuing and no findings of guilt or liability have been made against any individual named in evidence to date. All persons and organisations referred to are entitled to respond to allegations raised, and any suggestion of criminal conduct remains a matter for police and the courts to determine.
