Australia: Royal Commission to Investigate Corruption Allegations in Victoria’s Construction Sector | CUAC

Civil Union – Follow-ups The Victorian Government in Australia launched a Royal Commission today, Thursday, to investigate the integrity of major public and civil infrastructure projects amid allegations of corruption and misconduct involving projects funded by taxpayers’ money. The state government said the commission would have broad powers to compel witnesses to give evidence and obtain documents, including Cabinet documents. The commission will be chaired by Chris Corrakes, the former Chief Justice of South Australia, and has been allocated A$50 million, with its final report due by August 20, 2027. The commission will investigate whether corruption, criminal conduct, or serious misconduct occurred in major infrastructure projects across Victoria. Its inquiry will examine the roles of unions, construction companies, subcontractors, labour-hire companies, and government agencies, as well as the possibility of recovering taxpayers’ money found to have been obtained by individuals or entities through corruption or unlawful conduct. The commission was established following allegations of misconduct and corruption in the construction sector, particularly in connection with the state’s Big Build projects. Victorian Premier Ben Carroll said the inquiry would be broad in scope and that no parties would be exempt from being summoned before the commission. Source: The Guardian Australia