During a press conference on Wednesday, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan firmly addressed a reporter attempting to link her administration’s Big Build infrastructure initiative to the ongoing corruption scandal involving the CFMEU.

As the journalist began to inquire about the potential connection, Allan swiftly interrupted, not allowing the question to be fully articulated.

“Given the Big Build’s role in corrupting the CFMEU, do you regret—” the reporter started, only to be cut off by Allan’s immediate and emphatic reaction.

“No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, it is not,” Allan interjected, dismissing the question before it could be developed further.

She insisted that the reporter reformulate their question, emphasizing that she would only entertain inquiries grounded in facts and evidence.

“I would ask that you provide your questions based on evidence and facts, rather than speculation that undermines the efforts of the independent administrator,” Allan asserted.

The clash comes as pressure mounts over explosive revelations of criminal infiltration inside the CFMEU and its alleged impact on major public works.

Anti-corruption barrister Geoffrey Watson SC released findings estimating that CFMEU misconduct had inflated the cost of Victoria’s Big Build projects by roughly 15 per cent, about $15billion of taxpayer money. 

Jacinta Allan (pictured) snapped back at a reporter while being asked about the CFMEU

Watson’s 18-month investigation detailed alleged unlawful conduct on publicly funded worksites, including extortion, violence, drug dealing, bribery, and strippers being brought onto sites controlled by the union.

Parts of Watson’s report claimed the Victorian government ‘knew but did nothing’ as behaviour escalated, allegedly fearing industrial unrest if it intervened. 

The CFMEU was placed into administration after the federal government intervened in mid‑2024, citing widespread criminal infiltration, unlawful conduct and systemic governance failures within the union’s construction division.

The union is currently being run by Administrator Mark Irving, installed by the Albanese government to clean up the union’s operations. 

Allan has strongly denied accusations that her government allowed misconduct to flourish, arguing the claims were not properly tested and insisting she acted immediately once credible evidence emerged in mid-2024.  

She reiterated her government holds ‘zero tolerance’ for behaviour described in the report and said she had referred all allegations to the appropriate authorities.

Her referral to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) in 2024 went nowhere, however, because the watchdog does not have jurisdiction to investigate contractors or third parties such as union officials or bikies. 

Allan rejected accusations that she framed the referral so it would fail, though former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich said she should have known about the limitations.

The Watson Review estimates that $15billion of public money was misused by the CFMEU 

Jess Wilson (pictured) called the saga ‘the largest corruption scandal in [Victorian] history’

The Opposition has seized on the scandal, with Liberal Leader Jess Wilson accusing Allan of orchestrating a ‘cover-up’.

‘The Liberals and Nationals will continue to pursue every opportunity to ensure that we get to the bottom of the largest corruption scandal in this state’s history,’ she said.

Adding to the pressure, Victoria’s three key integrity agencies – the Ombudsman, IBAC, and the Auditor-General – publicly released a joint paper calling for a complete overhaul of how their budgets are set. 

Under current arrangements, the government determines their funding without consultation with parliamentary oversight committees. 

Ombudsman Marlo Baragwanath described the process as ‘opaque and shrouded in secrecy’, while IBAC Commissioner Victoria Elliott noted, ‘even the perception of corruption can undermine public trust’. 

Auditor-General Andrew Greaves said the proposed reforms would move Victoria towards genuine budget independence.