Victoria’s Operation Hawk Faces Scrutiny Over Corruption Crackdown

Despite being operational for months, the taskforce is criticized for its limited impact on organized crime in the construction industry.

Operation Hawk, announced as a new initiative by Premier Jacinta Allan, has been active since mid-2024, focusing on corruption and organized crime in construction.
Fresh allegations, including bikie-linked violence and extortion on taxpayer-funded projects, have intensified calls for stronger enforcement and reform.
Critics, including Geoffrey Watson SC, have dismissed earlier government reviews as inadequate, describing them as superficial and ineffective in addressing systemic issues.
Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has proposed US-style anti-racketeering laws and the deregistration of the CFMEU, sparking debate over the best path forward.
Victorian government officials have pledged to establish a whistleblower complaints body and bolster cooperation between state and federal agencies, though implementation remains pending.