Jacinta Allan has doubled down on her stubborn refusal to hold a Royal Commission into Victoria’s Big Build, despite mounting corruption claims.
Ms Allan has consistently rejected a Royal Commission despite calls from the business sector, the state opposition, and many of the state’s leading corruption experts.
On Monday, the Victorian Premier confirmed to reporters that she would never hold a Royal Commission into what is now the state’s worst-ever corruption scandal.
The comments came just days after the owner of a controversial CFMEU-backed labour hire firm cut a deal with prosecutors to avoid a criminal conviction.
BK Labour owner Bernard Kearnery pleaded guilty to creating a false document in relation to cash withdrawals authorities suspect may have been used for bribes.
The guilty plea resulted in a fine of $3000 and a non-conviction order – a result that highlights why senior members of Victoria Police have called for greater powers to combat corruption in the construction sector.
Jacinta Allan doubled down on her opposition to a Royal Commission on Monday, reiterating her view it would not bring change to the sector.
“I am focused on taking strong action now, and that is the focus of me and my Labor team. Anyone calling for a Royal Commission is calling for action delayed, not immediate action.
“We need to take immediate action, and we have done so… we have taken the strongest action since (mid-2024) to weed out these bad actors, to clean up the industry, and change the culture.”
Pressed on whether she would change her mind if a majority of her Labor caucus colleagues came to the view a Royal Commission was needed, Ms Allan reiterated her position.
“Any call for a Royal Commission is a call for delayed action,” she said.
The Premier was then asked multiple times whether she completely ruled out ever holding a Royal Commission into the Big Build corruption.
“I have been absolutely clear on this, and the reason why I am absolutely clear on this, and I’ll restate this: a Royal Commission,” the Premier began.
Wanting a clear answer to his question, the reporter interrupted.
“I’m just trying to clarify… you will never, ever have a Royal Commission into these claims and the Big Build?” the reporter asked.
In response, Ms Allan said she had been clear that that was her view.
“I have been clear as Premier that that is my view because anyone calling for a Royal Commission is… calling for delayed action,” she said.
The calls have also been backed by leading anti-corruption figures, including former IBAC boss Robert Redlich, Victorian Ombudsman Deborah Glass, and the Centre for Public Integrity’s Geoffrey Watson SC.
Others to support the calls include business sector bodies such as the Australian and Victorian chambers of commerce, and Master Builders Australia.
There is also widespread support from across the Victorian parliament, with the Greens having supported the calls and the state opposition making it a key election commitment.