Jun 1, 2026 – 6.25pmThe Victorian government will give the state’s anti-corruption watchdog greater powers to investigate graft on its $100 billion infrastructure program after Premier Jacinta Allan caved in to pressure to probe union misconduct on construction sites.But the new laws will not be introduced until late 2027 – a year after the November 28 state election and more than three years after The Australian Financial Review and The Age revealed widespread criminality and corruption on government projects in Victoria.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
Labor caves to boosting anti-corruption body – if it wins the election
Premier Jacinta Allan says Victoria’s corruption watchdog should have greater powers to investigate CFMEU graft on the Big Build program – but it won’t happen quickly.
TL;DRAI
Victoria's Labor government will expand the state's anti-corruption watchdog powers to investigate misconduct on its $100B infrastructure program, but legislation won't be introduced until late 2027 — over a year after the November 2026 election. The delayed timeline signals political calculation over accountability: for public-sector tech and infrastructure vendors operating in Victoria, compliance and procurement integrity scrutiny will intensify, but enforcement remains deferred.
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