Premier Carroll calls opposition's Big Build inquiry terms a political stunt

Victorian Premier Ben Carroll announced a royal commission to investigate alleged corruption in the state’s Big Build programme and said he would gladly appear before it if summoned. The opposition, led by Jess Wilson, issued its own draft terms of reference, proposing a 25-person witness list that includes former premiers Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan, construction mediator Mick Gatto, former union boss John Setka, as well as Carroll and Deputy Premier Gabrielle Williams.

Carroll dismissed the opposition’s proposal as a political stunt, stressing he is focused on collaborating with the chief commissioner to shape the commission’s terms. He admitted he had not yet reviewed the opposition’s document, which he believes the media obtained before his office. The opposition insists the inquiry must extend beyond the CFMEU to scrutinise the entire system of project selection, procurement, administration and funding, and will not back any narrow terms set solely by Labor. Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich has urged that Andrews and Allan be called to testify, a point Carroll left open, saying the commissioner will decide who is questioned.