Royal commission into Victorian construction sector could boost Labor’s chances at state election, expert says

Ben Carroll said the creation of a royal commission into alleged corruption in the construction sector – including on Big Build projects – would be his ‘first action’ as Victorian premier. Photograph: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Ben Carroll said the creation of a royal commission into alleged corruption in the construction sector – including on Big Build projects – would be his ‘first action’ as Victorian premier. Photograph: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images Royal commission into Victorian construction sector could boost Labor’s chances at state election, expert says Commission promised by new premier would be an ‘important signal’ for voters that the government was acting on alleged corruption Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Victorian voters heading to the polls will probably get a taste of the evidence heard by a royal commission – including how taxpayer funds were used on Big Build projects – but it could actually help Labor’s standing, an integrity expert says. William Partlett, an associate professor of law and a fellow at the Centre for Public Integrity, said the commission promised by the new premier, Ben Carroll , would be an “important signal” for voters that the government was taking action. Shortly after being sworn in on Tuesday, Carroll said the creation of a royal commission into the construction sector would be his “first action” as premier. This follows sustained pressure to investigate alleged corruption on the government’s Big Build infrastructure projects. 6:11 ‘Change starts today’: Ben Carroll delivers first speech as Victoria’s premier – video Carroll said the commission’s terms of reference would be “exhaustive”, and it would be established “as soon as possible”, suggesting it could hold hearings before November’s state election. “Whether it’s the top-tier companies, whether it’s subcontractors, whether it’s businesses or unions, these terms of reference will be thorough,” the premier said. Carroll also said a special prosecutor would be appointed to work in parallel to the royal commission, and that the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission will be bolstered with follow-the-money powers. Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email It comes after his predecessor, Jacinta Allan, had resisted calls for a royal commission into allegations that organised crime figures and bikie gangs infiltrated major infrastructure projects, including the Big Build. Partlett told Guardian Australia the decision to hold a royal commission was not surprising, given the pressure the former premier was under from the Labor caucus over the issue. “In some ways it was probably the downfall of [Allan] in her failure to call that because it did seem that many wanted that to be called,” Partlett said. The Big Build is the state’s infrastructure program that has, since 2015, given about $109bn in public money for more than 180 projects, including the Metro Tunnel, level crossing removal