Victoria Acts to Address Corruption in Construction Sector

Overview

• The Victorian government has accepted all eight recommendations from a report investigating corruption and criminal behavior in the construction sector.
• A new complaints referral system will be established within Industrial Relations Victoria to handle reports of unlawful conduct on government construction sites.
• The investigation found that organized crime figures and outlaw motorcycle gangs had infiltrated the CFMEU, prompting the union's construction arm to be placed into administration earlier this year.
• Labour hire laws will be strengthened, including expanding the 'fit and proper person' test to exclude individuals with criminal histories or ties to criminal organizations from holding senior roles.
• The reforms will be reviewed in two years, with the possibility of stronger interventions if the current measures fail to address the deeply rooted issues.