Watchdog defends decision to drop Big Build CFMEU referral
A referral linked to the CFMEU and Victoria’s Big Build landed with the state’s anti corruption watchdog… and stopped there. IBAC confirmed it reviewed the case but will not investigate, saying it falls outside its legal powers.
A referral linked to the CFMEU and Victoria’s Big Build landed with the state’s anti corruption watchdog… and stopped there. IBAC confirmed it reviewed the case but will not investigate, saying it falls outside its legal powers.
IBAC says the CFMEU Big Build referral falls outside its powers to investigate.
Victoria’s anti corruption body IBAC confirmed it received a referral linked to the CFMEU and Big Build projects, one of the biggest infrastructure programs in the state. The information was assessed internally, but it has not turned into a formal investigation. All of this while the CFMEU scandal is still blowing up and Victorian Liberals are already calling for action against figures tied to the saga, including names like Mick Gatto.
IBAC: “It’s outside our powers”
IBAC backed its call, saying the matter falls outside the legal limits that define what it can actually investigate.
The watchdog has authority over corruption in the public sector, but that does not always extend to external players, even if they are tied to publicly funded projects. That is exactly the problem in this CFMEU situation. The alleged links surrounding the union leave IBAC without the power to step in.
“Reviewed… but no power to investigate.”
A process that stops right there
The outcome is clear. The referral was made. It was reviewed. But it goes no further under IBAC’s current scope.
The case now sits alongside a growing list of developments around the CFMEU and its role in major projects, and it is fuelling a bigger question. Who actually has the power to step in when things look this messy… and where do those powers stop?
While the CFMEU saga continues to build nationally, this part of it stops here. No investigation from IBAC, and no further action on this referral under its current powers.
Trending News
A referral linked to the CFMEU and Victoria’s Big Build landed with the state’s anti corruption watchdog… and stopped there. IBAC confirmed it reviewed the case but will not investigate, saying it falls outside its legal powers.