The Victorian Coalition has intensified its attack on Jacinta Allan over the state’s Big Build corruption scandal, as they call for a Royal Commission into allegations of government interference.
Shadow Industrial Relations Minister Brad Rowswell said Victorians had reached the point where only a Royal Commission could uncover the full extent of corruption linked to the state’s infrastructure projects.
His comments come after Ms Allan was referred to Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog over allegations she personally intervened to enable corruption while serving as Transport Infrastructure Minister.
The Premier has rejected wrongdoing.
Mr Rowswell said Ms Allan had spent years overseeing Victoria’s infrastructure program and could not distance herself from what had unfolded.
“Jacinta Allan has been either Premier or responsible for Victoria’s big build for a very long time,” he told Sky News.
“That puts her at the centre of the crime and corruption in our state.”
The Liberal MP said the Coalition would establish a Royal Commission if elected in November, arguing it was the only way to restore public confidence.
“If you’re a Victorian, and you are disturbed by the crime and corruption that has been free for all under Jacinta Allan over the last 12 years, vote Liberal, vote National at the state election for a Royal Commission,” he said.
“It’s as simple as that.”
Mr Rowswell accused the Premier of resisting further scrutiny because she feared what a broad inquiry could uncover.
“This premier will go to every length to cover up crime and corruption because she knows that if she opens up the option of a Royal Commission here in Victoria, it will be a Pandora’s box of problems,” he said.
The criticism comes after leading corruption expert Geoffrey Watson SC wrote to Ms Allan accusing her of “deliberately misleading people”.
He suggested he had backed away from his estimate that CFMEU corruption on Victoria’s Big Build had cost taxpayers about $15 billion.
Mr Watson insisted he stood by the figure and again urged the Premier to establish an inquiry.
Calls for a Royal Commission have also grown inside Labor, with reports several MPs privately believe an inquiry is inevitable and should be established before a future Coalition government sets its own terms.
Mr Rowswell said the Premier’s handling of the allegations had fallen short of the standard Victorians should expect.
“You’ve got an allegation of a ministerial office interference and pressure to get CFMEU contractors lined up … and the Premier can’t even check her own records,” he said.
“The standards are completely different. The standards are wrong.
“Victorians deserve so much better.”
“If you value integrity, if you value transparency, vote Liberal at November’s election,” he said.