TI Australia welcomes Royal Commission into corruption in Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects
Transparency International Australia has cautiously welcomed the announcement of the Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects, the appointment of former Chief Justice of South Australia Chris Kourakis AC and the broad terms of reference.
Victorians have serious questions about allegations of corruption, organised crime, intimidation and the use of public money involving the CFMEU across Victoria’s major construction projects. Those questions must be answered by this Royal Commission.
“Including a thorough examination of the role played by the government and its relationship with the CFMEU is critically important to understand how such serious corruption took root in Victoria’s construction sector,” said Transparency International Australia CEO, Clancy Moore.
“Victorians have a right to know the extent to which former Premiers and Ministers chose to look the other way.
“The Commissioner will also need to shine a light on how union EBAs and rogue delegates enabled corruption and criminal activity.
“The Royal Commissioner has extensive powers under the Act to call witness and compel the production of documents. This should include government advisors and public servants. So a lot will come down to the Royal Commissioner’s leadership and the interpretation of the Terms of Reference.
“We welcome the terms of reference that empowers the Commissioner to recommend legislative reforms for IBAC, Victoria Police and the executive government.
“We would stress the need to examine how the CFMEU was inflated by organised crime gangs and that the Royal Commissions should put recommendations to prevent this happening in the future.
“Similarly, there may be matters that have been the subject of the recent Victorian IOC inquiry and the Queensland inquiry into the CFMEU that need further probing.
“Like the Costigan Commission and the Fitzgerald Inquiry into corruption, we hope that the Royal Commission leads to systemic reforms to prevent, detect and combat corruption and organised crime in the future.”
Mr Moore said the accompanying reforms to establish a special prosecutor and strengthen IBAC’s powers, including follow-the-money powers, broadening the definition of “corrupt conduct” and bolstering corruption prevention functions are critical.