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Victorian Premier Announces Royal Commission into Construction Sector

Ben Carroll confirms the establishment of a royal commission led by Christopher Kourakis to investigate corruption in Victoria's construction industry.

20 August 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Victorian Premier Announces Royal Commission into Construction Sector — Archive photoPhoto: Bidgee · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0

Ben Carroll, the Premier of Victoria, has announced the establishment of a royal commission focused on the state's construction sector. This decision follows through on a pledge made by Carroll upon taking office last month. The inquiry aims to address corruption allegations within the industry.

According to reports, the royal commission will be led by Christopher Kourakis, a former chief justice of the South Australian Supreme Court. Kourakis is expected to oversee the investigation into various issues surrounding corruption in the state's construction operations.

Carroll emphasized in his announcement that 'nothing is off limits' regarding the scope of the inquiry. He indicated that the terms of reference for the royal commission would include broad investigations, which may involve examining claims related to the CFMEU's (Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union) conduct on state government building sites.

The terms of reference released by Carroll imply that former premiers and ministers could be summoned to appear at public hearings. This aspect of the inquiry highlights the serious nature of the allegations under review and the possible implications for public officials.

Nick McKenzie, an investigative journalist known for his work exposing alleged corruption in the Big Build program, addressed Carroll during the press conference announcing the royal commission. McKenzie posed questions about the timing and effectiveness of the inquiry given the duration of the alleged corrupt practices.

Though McKenzie described the announcement as welcome news, he also expressed concern that the royal commission is occurring later than it should have. His reporting has drawn attention to issues of corruption linked to major construction projects in Victoria.

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