A Big Build royal commission helped Ben Carroll become premier. Will it be his downfall?
Summary
Victoria’s royal commission into the Big Build will begin public hearings during the state election campaign, putting scrutiny of Labor’s infrastructure projects at the center of the contest. Premier Ben Carroll called the inquiry after his predecessor declined to do so, but its hearings could bring politically damaging allegations about project oversight and the CFMEU back into focus.Key Facts
- The Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects is scheduled to begin two weeks of public hearings on Monday.
- The hearings will take place during Victoria’s state election campaign.
- Ben Carroll called the royal commission after becoming premier.
- Carroll’s predecessor, Jacinta Allan, declined to establish a royal commission despite acknowledging criminal infiltration of construction projects.
- Former Victorian ombudsman Deborah Glass said the inquiry was necessary and praised Carroll for setting it up.
- Planning expert William McDougall alleged in a submission that Labor advisers may have influenced major projects without transparency or accountability.
- The government denies the claims in McDougall’s submission, which the royal commission will examine.
- The commission said its initial focus would include the CFMEU’s conduct on rail projects in Sunbury.
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