Politics · Australia · 13 hrs ago
Victoria royal commission examines CFMEU role in Big Build project
Victoria’s royal commission has begun public hearings into alleged corruption on major government construction projects.
The first hearings focus on the CFMEU and the Gap Road level-crossing project in Sunbury, north of Melbourne.
The project involved removing a level crossing and building a rail bridge and underpass.
The commission is examining claims about union activity that stopped work and how government officials responded at a June 2022 meeting; these claims have not been established as facts.
Lawyers assisting the commission presented company records that described the CFMEU as having growing influence with the state government.
The inquiry is also examining wider concerns about safety powers, labour hire, project contracts and whether contractors’ complaints were acted on.
The hearings matter because disruption to public works can bring major costs, and the inquiry may identify changes to prevent misconduct and protect people who report it.
More public hearings are due over the next two weeks, with more than 20 witnesses compelled to give evidence.
Public hearings for Victoria’s royal commission into the integrity of major public and civil infrastructure projects began in Melbourne on November 9, during the state election campaign.
The first hearings focus on allegations about the CFMEU’s involvement in the Gap Road level crossing project in Sunbury in 2022.
Counsel assisting the commission, Chris Young KC, said more than 20 witnesses had been compelled to appear.
The commission heard that construction company John Holland feared upsetting the CFMEU because of its links to the Victorian government.
The government has denied claims of improper conduct, which the commission will examine.
- Who
- The royal commission, with counsel assisting Chris Young KC, is hearing evidence about the CFMEU, contractors and government officials.
- What
- Public hearings have begun into allegations of corruption and integrity failures on Victoria’s Big Build projects, initially focusing on the Gap Road project.
- When
- November 9, 2026. The first block of hearings is being held in November.
- Where
- Melbourne, with the case study focused on the Gap Road level crossing project in Sunbury, north of Melbourne.
- Why
- The commission was established to examine the integrity of major public and civil infrastructure construction projects in Victoria.
Victorian government
Critics and inquiry allegations
Response to claims
Victorian government
The government has denied claims that Labor advisers improperly influenced major projects.
Critics and inquiry allegations
Submissions and allegations raised questions about government conduct and the handling of the Big Build; these claims are to be tested by the commission.
Role in Gap Road
Victorian government
Not stated.
Critics and inquiry allegations
The commission is examining what officials did at a June 2022 meeting to appease the union after work stopped at Gap Road.
CFMEU officials entered the Gap Road project’s eastern portal 29 times, according to evidence described at the hearing.
Union officials stopped work at Gap Road, and the commission is examining a meeting held that month.
Public hearings began in Melbourne during the final three-week stretch of the state election campaign.
The commission’s first block of hearings is examining the Gap Road project and will hear from more than 20 compelled witnesses.
- Project
- Gap Road level crossing removal and rail bridge and underpass, Sunbury
- Witnesses
- More than 20, all compelled to testify
- Hearing start
- November 9, 2026
- Election polling day
- November 28, 2026
- Union
- Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU)
5 sources
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What people are saying
It is extremely concerning that some parties have not complied with the terms of those notices to produce
Most of what follows is an allegation, and some of it is expressly denied
I want to be a premier that did what he said he would do on integrity.
This is a necessary examination of a shameful chapter in Victoria’s history.