Victoria’s Big Build royal commission investigates CFMEU’s influence and alleged corruption in 2022 projects

Consensus Summary

Victoria’s Big Build royal commission is examining allegations of corruption and undue influence by the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, and Energy Union (CFMEU) over major infrastructure projects, with a central focus on the June 2022 stop-work at the Gap Road level crossing removal in Sunbury. Both the Guardian and ABC report that work halted on June 6, 2022, after CFMEU officials intervened, only resuming the following day after control of the site was transferred to the union. The hearings have revealed internal documents from contractor John Holland, including a 2017 memo describing the CFMEU’s ‘unprecedented access’ to government ministers and its growing influence over tender processes. The commission has also highlighted a pattern of union interference, such as the CFMEU officials entering the Gap Road site 29 times in January 2020, with some activity deemed unlawful.

The background to the royal commission’s investigation traces back to the CFMEU’s expanding role in Victoria’s political and industrial landscape. Internal emails from John Holland, cited by both outlets, show concerns dating back to 2017 about the union’s relationship with the Andrews Labor government, including fears that the CFMEU could shape government tenders. By 2021, the union was described as ‘emboldened’ and enjoying ‘a significant level of influence’ within the state government, a shift that contractors attributed to its success on major projects. The commission’s focus on the June 2022 meeting at Gap Road underscores how this influence allegedly translated into direct interference with construction work, including threats against subcontractors and coordinated stoppages.

Key figures in the hearings include Counsel Assisting Chris Young KC, who presented evidence of the CFMEU’s tactics, and Neil Thompson, the health and safety manager for the Rail Network Alliance, who described the union’s disruptive actions in detail. The Guardian reports that Thompson called police on June 6, 2022, after CFMEU officials blocked work, but Victoria Police took no action, citing occupational health and safety issues. Premier Ben Carroll addressed the hearings, denying knowledge of the CFMEU’s access to senior officials, while the opposition leader, Jess Wilson, criticized the government for funding legal representation for former premiers Jacinta Allan and Daniel Andrews. The ABC highlights Carroll’s denial and the union’s alleged threats, including a warning to subcontractors that they would be ‘smash[ed]’ if they continued working.

While both sources agree on the core events—such as the June 2022 stop-work and the CFMEU’s historical influence—they emphasize different aspects of the story. The Guardian provides more detail on the timeline of union interference, including the 29 site visits in January 2020 and the escalation of risks leading to the June 2022 meeting. It also includes the premier’s comments on legal representation and the opposition’s criticism, framing the hearings as part of a broader pattern of union-government collusion. The ABC, however, focuses more on the immediate threats and the financial impact of the stop-work, noting the $6 million cost overrun and the union’s alleged intimidation tactics, such as the ‘smash you’ warning. Neither outlet disputes the central facts, but their framing differs in scope and emphasis.

The royal commission’s hearings are set to continue until November 28, coinciding with the state election, as reported by the ABC. The Guardian notes that the commission is relying on witness memories of events from four years ago, given the lack of documentation about the June 2022 meeting. Both outlets suggest that the hearings will uncover further details about the CFMEU’s role in other Big Build projects, with the ABC mentioning ‘remarkably similar experiences’ from contractors on different sites. The unresolved question remains whether the commission will find sufficient evidence to substantiate allegations of corruption, particularly given the limited clarity around the pivotal June 2022 meeting and the union’s historical influence over government decisions.