The Victorian Greens say the Allan Labor Government must provide clear answers to Victorians following reports the government was aware of corruption on major infrastructure projects, at a potential cost of up to $15 billion - something the Premier has previously denied.
The Greens are calling on the government to urgently respond to the Integrity and Oversight Committee's report into IBAC, which recommended strengthening the state's anti‑corruption body - saying that it still remains unclear whether IBAC is even investigating this matter, or has the jurisdiction to do so, despite the Premier stating that she referred the allegations to the agency in July 2024.
Reporting in Nine Newspapers states that the damning findings were stripped from a landmark report by a federal Labor government official before its final publication. The pre‑sanitised report is the first formal inquiry to conclude that the Victorian Labor Government knew of corruption on major rail and road projects, and it also provides the first formal estimate of the taxpayer cost.
The Victorian Greens integrity spokesperson, Dr Tim Read, said Victorians deserve clear answers about what the government knew, when it knew it, and why these findings were removed from the report. He also highlighted the urgent need to strengthen IBAC so it has the powers, independence, and resources to properly investigate corruption in government‑funded projects.
Dr Read pointed to the Integrity and Oversight Committee's recent report, which unanimously recommended giving IBAC the ability to investigate conduct that may not currently constitute an offence and to 'follow the dollar' across projects in the private sector.
As stated by the Victorian Greens integrity spokesperson, Dr Tim Read:
"Victorians deserve answers about exactly what the Victorian Labor government knew and when, and why these findings were kept from public view."
"Victoria is the national laggard when it comes to integrity. Right now we still don't know whether IBAC is investigating this matter or whether it even has the jurisdiction to fully investigate it. We need clarity on that."
"These are serious issues of public interest, and Victorians have a right to answers. The Allan Labor Government has serious questions to answer and if they want Victorians to have any confidence in their integrity, they need to strengthen IBAC as a start."
