In short:
Victoria’s Big Build is under renewed scrutiny after allegations raised at a Queensland inquiry claimed up to $15 billion in taxpayer impact linked to CFMEU misconduct. The report has been referred to police, with investigations ongoing and no court findings made.
State Slammed Over Alleged Rorts
Victoria’s Big Build is facing renewed scrutiny after The West Party labelled the infrastructure program “a $15 billion crime spree,” following explosive allegations aired during a Queensland inquiry into the CFMEU and detailed in a report now referred to police.
In a statement, The West Party said: “The Big Build is actually a $15 billion crime spree.”
The party further claimed that “$15 BILLION dollars that was meant to be spent on Victoria’s Big Build has ended up in the hands of criminal and bikies,” and alleged that Victorian Labor “has known about this corruption – and allowed it to happen – because that Labor is scared to stand up to the criminals who have infiltrated the CFMEU.”
The remarks follow national media reporting on a 136-page report by barrister Geoffrey Watson KC, described as containing “serious allegations of criminal and improper conduct” within the Victorian branch of the construction union.
The CFMEU’s administrator has confirmed the full report has been referred to the AFP, Victoria Police, the Fair Work Commission and other relevant law enforcement agencies.
“These matters have not been determined by a court or tested through criminal proceedings,” the administrator said.
The report, tendered to a Queensland inquiry examining misconduct in the construction industry, alleges widespread corruption, criminal infiltration and cost blowouts during the height of Victoria’s $100 billion infrastructure rollout.
According to evidence presented during the inquiry, the report estimates alleged corruption and misconduct may have cost Victorian taxpayers around $15 billion — a figure described as equivalent to more than $5,000 per Victorian household.
It was also suggested during proceedings that the amount could rival the combined annual budgets of Victoria’s police and health systems.
The report includes allegations that women were recruited from strip clubs, paid six-figure salaries as “cleaners,” and later performed for workers in site sheds.
It also alleges organised crime figures infiltrated construction projects, with bikie gangs reportedly using some sites as drug distribution hubs while underworld identities allegedly made tens of millions through industry dealings.
Redacted passages shown during the inquiry allegedly state that significant sums were “poured directly into the hands of criminals and organised crime gangs.”
The report further alleges the Victorian government was aware of escalating issues within the union but failed to intervene effectively, claiming the state had a duty to monitor delays and cost blowouts yet “did nothing.”
These claims remain allegations raised in the inquiry and have not been tested in court.
The Allan Labor Government has long faced criticism from political opponents who argue it allowed problematic CFMEU practices to continue on major infrastructure projects involving billions of public dollars.
Critics say the scale of the claims raises serious questions about oversight of taxpayer-funded projects.
The government maintains it has taken steps to address misconduct within the construction sector and says it will review the report once formally released.
The union was placed into administration nationally in 2024 amid allegations of infiltration by organised crime figures.
The current administrator says reforms implemented over the past 12 months have significantly addressed the issues raised.
The allegations are emerging at a sensitive time for Victoria, as the state continues to manage record levels of debt linked largely to infrastructure spending.
Many locals say they are frustrated by claims the government may have turned a blind eye while households face rising costs and pressure on public finances.
Premier Jacinta Allan has not made a public statement addressing the specific allegations contained in the report.
The report has now been referred to multiple law enforcement agencies for assessment, with no court findings made and investigations ongoing — meaning political and legal scrutiny is likely to continue.
Wyndham TV is reporting on allegations aired during the inquiry. The matters outlined remain untested and subject to ongoing investigation.
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