What we learnt on the first day of Victoria’s Big Build royal commission

Victoria’s Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects met for the first time in public today.

It will examine allegations of corruption, criminal conduct and other serious misconduct connected to major public infrastructure projects, including Victoria’s Big Build.

Today’s opening hearing was short and technical, but it included two important signals about how this closely-watched inquiry could unfold.

First, that it is willing to move fast to hold all relevant groups in the Victorian construction sector to account.

Second, that this inquiry will likely go right to the top, potentially including the public questioning of former Victorian premier Jacinta Allan.

The royal commission This royal commission was set up by the new Victorian premier, Ben Carroll.

His government has given the commission a broad remit to investigate allegations of corruption, criminal conduct and serious misconduct across the state’s building sector.

To carry out this remit, it has a broad range of coercive powers to investigate union officials, gangland figures, private contractors and the executive government.

The Carroll government has appointed former South Australian Supreme Court Chief Justice Christopher Kourakis to lead the commission.

He must deliver his final report by August 20 2027.

Victorian barristers Chris Young and Christopher Carr have been appointed as counsel assisting the commission, and made opening statements today.

What did we learn today? The hearing today was relatively short and technical, including a 26-minute long reading out of the entire terms of reference for the royal commission.

But two things stood out.

First, early in the proceedings, it was revealed the royal commission has already held private hearings.