Victoria’s CFMEU Scandal: A Web of Corruption that Binds

A bombshell briefing to Premier Jacinta Allan in June 2023 reveals a shocking truth about her government’s handling of corruption within the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Energy, Mining and Allied Industries Union (CFMEU). The union’s influence on the Big Build infrastructure project has led to a culture of lawlessness, with bikies and criminals allegedly infiltrating taxpayer-funded projects. Allan’s top officials were aware of this problem as early as 2023 – yet she claims not to have seen the briefing.

The document in question is dated June 21, 2023, and was signed off by four high-ranking infrastructure and transport public servants. It warns that the CFMEU’s behavior has “the potential to significantly impact project costs and schedule” across the Big Build if left unchecked. This contradicts Allan’s repeated claims that corruption would not result in significant cost blowouts for taxpayers.

Allan’s insistence she had never seen the file raises questions about her government’s internal reporting structure. Was there a breakdown in communication, or is this just another example of her attempts to downplay the severity of the corruption? The CFMEU scandal has been a defining issue for Allan as she fights for her leadership. Her main rival, Deputy Premier Ben Carroll, has pledged to overturn her refusal to hold a royal commission.

The recent creation of a new $170 million Organised Crime Command by Allan seems like an attempt to deflect attention from the corruption within her own government. The funding will go towards upgraded technology for police, including extra surveillance and cybercrime capabilities, and greater resources for the Office of Public Prosecutions to pursue criminal wealth. However, leading crime-fighting experts have called for a royal commission ahead of the creation of any new policing body.

It’s time for Allan to take responsibility and acknowledge that her government has failed to address the corruption within the CFMEU. The implications of this scandal are far-reaching, not just for Labor but for the entire state of Victoria. The question is, will Allan’s leadership be the price she pays for her government’s failures? The stage is set for a no-confidence vote on Tuesday when Labor MPs meet at parliament.

As Victorians, we deserve better than a government that prioritizes power over accountability. The systemic problems within Labor have allowed corruption to thrive, and it’s not just about one scandal – it’s about the underlying issues that need to be addressed.

Reader Views

RJ
Reporter J. Avery · staff reporter
The Allan government's handling of corruption within the CFMEU is starting to look like a case of throwing sand into the air, hoping it settles on someone else's shoulders. While Ben Carroll's call for a royal commission might seem like a sensible step forward, it's hard not to wonder if this is just another example of politicians playing catch-up with the public's outrage. What's strikingly absent from this debate so far is any serious discussion about how the CFMEU's influence has impacted not just project costs and schedules, but also workplace safety. With billions on the line, it's time for a reckoning that goes beyond electoral politics.
CM
Columnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
The CFMEU scandal has exposed a culture of complicity between Victoria's Labor Government and the union, but Premier Jacinta Allan's response raises more questions than answers. While the creation of a new Organised Crime Command is a welcome step towards tackling corruption, it smacks of damage control rather than genuine reform. What's missing from this narrative is a critical examination of the Big Build's procurement process, which has been marred by allegations of cronyism and sweetheart deals with union-aligned companies. Until we see a thorough investigation into these claims, Allan's promises to tackle corruption ring hollow.
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Analyst D. Park · policy analyst
The Allan government's attempt to spin the CFMEU scandal as a law enforcement issue rather than a governance failure is nothing short of cynical. While the new Organised Crime Command may be a necessary investment in combating organised crime, it doesn't address the underlying problem: how Victoria's Labor Government allowed such corruption to fester for so long. The question now is not just whether Allan has seen the briefing, but who knew what and when – and whether anyone will be held accountable for this catastrophic failure of oversight.

CFMEU Scandal Rocks Victoria's Labor Government

Victoria’s CFMEU Scandal: A Web of Corruption that Binds

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