When Ben Carroll became Victorian Premier on Tuesday his first move was to announce a Royal Commission into the state’s construction industry.
“Nothing will shine a light more on the sector than a Royal Commission”, the new Premier said on Thursday.
But this stands in stark contrast to Mr Carroll’s previous pushback on the need for a royal commission. Just four months ago he stated in parliament on 19 March that “a royal commission will take twice as long and cost twice as much”. As then deputy premier, he fell in behind his leader.
However as calls grew for a royal commission, and as Labor MPs frequently reported voters telling them their government was “corrupt”, Mr Carroll changed his view in recent months.
Mr Carroll also publicly backed the Suburban Rail Loop during his time in the former Andrews government and reaffirmed his support for the project, at least publicly, when he stood next to then Premier Jacinta Allan during a press conference in June 2024 and declared: “I am supportive of the project, we have taken Suburban Rail Loop to two elections, it is government policy.”
However, it’s understood behind the scenes Mr Carroll has been a long-time sceptic of the project, and is instead a fan of building Melbourne Airport Rail as soon as possible. Since becoming premier, Mr Carroll has said the SRL is “a matter for cabinet”. He has also said in response to questions about the project that every dollar “will be invested responsibly” and “we will not be cancelling contracts”.
Mr Carroll also threw his support behind Ms Allan’s controversial plan to legislate working from home after it was announced last year. “We know work from home is at risk from people who want to take it away, which is why we want to protect it and enshrine it in law,” he said in a post to social media in September. On Thursday, Mr Carroll confirmed that while the plan to legislate the right to work from home two days per week remained, he would be considering “sensible changes” to the legislation. This could include an exemption for small businesses and other carve-outs for employers.
Whether Carroll will be held account for falling in behind his predecessors, or reversing their positions just four months out from the election, is the big question.