维多利亚州总理本·卡罗尔已确认将启动皇家委员会进行调查[1]。该调查将审视前工党政府对州政府建筑工地腐败的监管情况，并重点关注政治考量如何影响了价值数十亿美元的重大交通项目承诺[1]。调查范围涵盖顶级承包商、分包商、劳务分包、政府部门和工会等多个环节[1]。卡罗尔总理表示该调查将是"彻底的"，并已要求部长级内阁部门主管开始制定调查的参考条款[1]。
廉正专家、工会领导和行业代表已纷纷提出调查建议。透明国际澳大利亚首席执行官克兰西·摩尔表示，调查需要审查"前艾伦政府对州基建项目建筑工地腐败的了解程度"[1]。澳大利亚建筑商协会首席执行官彼得·科拉奇诺提出关键问题指出："我们看到一小群人被赋予权力，他们不受相同的诚信和适当性标准约束"[1]。RMIT城市政策教授贾戈·多德森指出维多利亚州1000亿美元基建计划中涉及的具体项目，包括260亿美元东北环线、100亿美元西门大桥隧道和345亿美元郊区环线东段[1]。
前IBAC专员罗伯特·雷德利希表示预期前总理丹尼尔·安德鲁斯和杰辛塔·艾伦将在调查中作证[1]。卡罗尔总理还承诺任命特别检察官，并在11月选举前扩展IBAC的"追踪金钱"权力[1]。
Victoria's new Premier Ben Carroll has confirmed the establishment of a royal commission to examine corruption at state government building sites under the previous Labor government, with particular focus on how political considerations influenced billions of dollars in major transport project commitments and the relationship between the construction union CFMEU and the former government.[1]
The inquiry will conduct a "thorough" investigation spanning major contractors, subcontractors, labour hire arrangements, government agencies, and unions, according to Carroll.[1] Transparency International Australia's chief executive Clancy Moore has called for the investigation to review "the extent of the former Allan government's knowledge of corruption on Victorian infrastructure project building sites."[1] The Premier has instructed cabinet ministers and departmental heads to begin drafting the royal commission's terms of reference.[1]
Several figures have outlined priorities for the investigation. RMIT urban policy professor Jago Dodson identified major projects within Victoria's $100 billion infrastructure program that warrant scrutiny, including the $26 billion North East Link, the $10 billion West Gate Bridge tunnel project, and the $34.5 billion Suburban Rail Loop East section.[1] Former IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich indicated that former Premier Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan are expected to give evidence to the commission.[1] Peter Colacino, chief executive of the Master Builders Association Australia, highlighted a core concern: "We're seeing a small group of people who have been given power and they're not subject to the same integrity and probity standards."[1]
The Premier has also pledged to appoint a special prosecutor and extend IBAC's "follow the money" powers before the November election.[1]