Top lawyer Geoffrey Watson, an anti-corruption barrister, has dismissed the opposition’s claims that Premier Ben Carroll’s royal commission into Victoria’s Big Build is flawed, calling them “absurd.” Watson, who previously estimated that $15 billion in taxpayer funds was squandered on the state’s major infrastructure projects, praised the commission’s terms of reference as “excellently” designed. He argued that the opposition’s insistence on excluding certain individuals from the inquiry undermines public confidence in the process, which aims to rebuild trust in government after years of alleged corruption and mismanagement. Premier Ben Carroll announced the terms of reference for the royal commission on Thursday, outlining its mandate to investigate criminality and corruption on Big Build projects. The commission, led by former South Australian Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Kourakis, will operate with a $50 million budget and is expected to report within 12 months. Its scope includes examining the conduct of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), construction companies, labour hire firms, and criminal actors involved in the state’s major projects. The inquiry will also assess the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms and governance structures within the Victorian government. Shadow Attorney-General James Newbury, representing the opposition, challenged the commission’s terms, claiming that former Premier Jacinta Allan and her predecessor Daniel Andrews would not be subject to questioning. Newbury suggested that the government had deliberately excluded these figures from the inquiry, citing the terms of reference as being overly narrow. However, Premier Carroll refuted these claims, stating that the commission’s mandate allows for the examination of anyone, including past and current ministers. He emphasized that the terms were intentionally broad to ensure transparency and accountability. Watson criticized the opposition’s stance, arguing that dictating which witnesses appear before the commission would compromise its independence. He pointed out that such a move could prevent the inclusion of relevant parties while allowing others to claim exclusion. “This is an absurd criticism,” Watson said, adding that the opposition’s approach risks eroding public confidence in the commission before it has even begun. He stressed that the inquiry represents a crucial opportunity to restore faith in government institutions following years of scrutiny over the Big Build program. The Big Build initiative, which includes projects like the Metro Tunnel and North East Link, has been embroiled in controversy over allegations of corruption and unethical practices. Independent investigations have revealed that organized crime and outlaw motorcycle gangs infiltrated key construction sites through the CFMEU, leading to inflated costs via tactics such as extortion, fixed contracts, and “ghost shifts”, where labor hire companies charge for shifts that were never performed. Premier Carroll described the situation as involving “grift, thuggery, misogyny, and violence” on taxpayer-funded projects. While police can investigate criminal behavior, they lack the authority to probe grey areas of corruption, such as conflicts of interest or unethical decision-making. The royal commission’s terms of reference aim to address these gaps by examining not only the direct criminal acts but also the systemic factors that enabled wrongdoing. The inquiry will explore the root causes of corruption, including the conditions that allowed illegal activities to flourish. It will also assess whether the state can recover funds lost due to misconduct. A special prosecutor will be appointed to handle prosecutions based on the commission’s findings. Despite the opposition’s concerns, supporters argue that the commission’s broad mandate ensures that no party is beyond scrutiny, reinforcing the principle that accountability applies to all levels of government. With hearings yet to begin, the commission will now proceed under the leadership of Judge Kourakis, whose role will involve determining the schedule, selecting witnesses, and managing the investigative process. The outcome of this inquiry is expected to shape public understanding of the extent of corruption in Victoria’s construction sector and potentially lead to reforms aimed at preventing similar issues in the future. As the commission moves forward, the debate over its scope and effectiveness continues to play out among political figures and civil society groups.
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