A royal commission into the Victorian government’s 'Big Build' construction projects is scheduled to hold its opening hearing in Melbourne this Wednesday. The inquiry was established following significant pressure regarding reports of criminal activity, including intimidation and financial misconduct, on state-funded infrastructure sites.

The commission was a primary policy commitment of Premier Ben Carroll, who initiated the process immediately upon succeeding Jacinta Allan as Labor leader in July. While Allan had previously resisted calls for an independent inquiry, Carroll moved to formalize the investigation in August. He appointed Chris Kourakis, the former chief justice of South Australia, to oversee the proceedings. In his public statements, Carroll acknowledged that the construction sector has been plagued by 'grift,' 'thuggery,' and 'violence,' framing the inquiry as a necessary step to restore integrity to public works.

The inquiry will focus on the extent of these issues and how they have impacted the delivery and cost of major infrastructure projects. While the government has framed the commission as a proactive measure to clean up the industry, the inquiry follows years of reports regarding the influence of militant union elements on Victorian sites. The commission is expected to examine evidence of systemic corruption and determine whether current oversight mechanisms failed to prevent these behaviors. As the hearings begin, the focus will be on whether the commission can effectively uncover the depth of the alleged misconduct and what legislative or structural changes may follow.