Tuesday, 28 July 2026

 Gabrielle WILLIAMS (Dandenong – Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Minister for Public and Active Transport, Minister for Women and Girls) (14:11): Our major infrastructure projects are about preserving and enhancing Victoria’s livability for generations to come. Projects like the Melbourne Airport rail, North East Link, the Metro Tunnel and the West Gate Tunnel are vital to ensuring that people can continue to move around this state as we grow, and they have given tens of thousands of Victorians access to high-quality skills and jobs along the way, which is exactly why it is so offensive that there be the allegations that we have seen of criminality and corruption on Big Build sites. We know that there is more work to do to crack down on this unlawful conduct on our major sites and change the culture not just now but for good. We know we need to restore the trust of Victorians as we do this work.

That is why we are calling a royal commission into the construction sector, appointing a special prosecutor and introducing follow-the-money powers for IBAC in this term of government. This will build on the work that we have already undertaken: implementing the Wilson review, establishing the construction complaints referral service and, of course, strengthening the Labour Hire Authority as well. We have amended contracts to mandate reporting, strengthened procurement requirements and initiated a targeted audit program to review integrity and compliance. We are also establishing a comprehensive supply chain register to increase transparency and accountability and a mandatory register of approved industrial relations consultants. Already there have been over 92 charges laid, 164 labour hire licences have been cancelled and a further 50 have been refused, all relating to Big Build sites.

But we know there is still more to do to bring about the change that is necessary across our Big Build projects. We are wholeheartedly committed to restoring the trust of Victorians in a Big Build agenda that will deliver for generations to come.