I’m deeply sorry for what happened on Big Build projects. This is how we stop it happening again

Premier Jacinta Allan of Victoria has publicly acknowledged the failures within the state's large-scale infrastructure projects known as the Big Build. In a detailed statement released on July 2, 2026, she expressed deep regret for the issues that arose during the implementation of these ambitious developments. While emphasizing the tangible benefits of the Big Build—such as the completion of 121 new public schools, 11 new public hospitals, and significant progress on major transport projects like the Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel, North East Link, Airport Rail, and Suburban Rail Loop—she also admitted that not everything had gone smoothly.

Allan highlighted that the challenges faced were not unique to Victoria but part of broader economic trends affecting all major economies. She pointed to the impact of the global pandemic, which disrupted supply chains and led to a sharp increase in the cost of construction materials and labor. Despite these difficulties, she maintained that the decisions made by her government to push forward with the Big Build were justified by the visible improvements in infrastructure across the state.

However, she did not shy away from addressing the darker aspects of the project. Allan confirmed that criminal elements had infiltrated some of the construction sites, leading to incidents involving violence, intimidation, and organized crime. She emphasized that while these actions did not reflect the values of the majority of workers involved, they were nonetheless unacceptable and needed to be addressed.

To prevent similar occurrences in the future, Allan outlined several measures taken by the government. These included granting Victoria Police enhanced investigative powers, resulting in over 90 criminal charges being filed. Additionally, the Labour Hire Authority was empowered to revoke construction licenses, which it has done for 164 firms. The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) was placed into administration and removed from the Victorian Labor Party.

Other initiatives include mandatory reporting of suspected criminal behavior by construction companies, improved whistleblower protections for workers, and inter-agency collaboration with the federal government to ensure comprehensive oversight. The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) will be given expanded authority to trace financial flows, including retroactively examining both current and former governments' activities.

Despite these efforts, Allan acknowledged that further work remains to be done. Some critics suggest that another royal commission might be necessary to address ongoing concerns. However, she argued against repeating past experiences where such commissions were costly and ineffective, yielding minimal results in terms of behavioral change on construction sites.

The Premier stressed that the focus must remain on altering workplace cultures rather than merely producing reports. She noted that the cumulative effect of legal actions, license revocations, and increased safety for whistleblowers has already begun to shift attitudes among workers. As the government continues its reforms, the hope is that these changes will lead to a more transparent and accountable construction industry in Victoria.