Ben Carroll Faces Political Test as Victoria Big Build Royal Commission Hearings Begin

The commitment that made Ben Carroll premier may ultimately cost him the election, as the Big Build royal commission begins two weeks of public hearings right in the middle of a state election campaign. For the Victorian Labor Party, the timing is deeply challenging, forcing the newly minted leader to confront allegations of corruption and criminal infiltration of government projects.

Carroll’s campaign features the slogan “new premier, new direction,” but he must answer questions regarding past practices and the actions of his predecessors. When former premier Jacinta Allan refused to call an inquiry despite acknowledging that criminals had infiltrated construction projects, her party room turned to Carroll. Upon taking office, Carroll stated his desire to be a premier who followed through on integrity commitments.

The Origins of the Big Build Royal Commission

Formally known as the Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects, the inquiry stems from serious allegations surrounding Victoria’s major infrastructure works. Former Victorian ombudsman Deborah Glass, who served from 2014 to 2024, praised Carroll’s political courage in establishing the inquiry, describing it as a necessary examination of a difficult chapter in the state’s history.

However, the proceedings are already causing political friction. Early submissions aired in the media include claims from planning expert William McDougall, who asserted that Labor advisers may have influenced major projects without proper transparency or accountability. McDougall argued that the current system increases the risk of misallocating public funds and suppressing professional advice. The Victorian government has denied these claims.

Union Scrutiny and Political Fallout

The inquiry’s initial focus includes examining the conduct of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) on rail projects in Sunbury. In 2024, former Victorian CFMEU boss John Setka resigned following an investigation detailing allegations of misconduct and the appointment of high-ranking bikie bosses into union delegate positions.

Polling conducted in August by Roy Morgan revealed that corruption and integrity failures rank as top issues threatening Labor’s voter support. Additionally, political fallout has emerged within the labor movement itself, with the Electrical Trades Union opting against funding Labor’s campaign. As the election approaches on 28 November, the ongoing revelations from the Big Build royal commission threaten to define Ben Carroll’s leadership and legacy.

Source: A Big Build royal commission helped Ben Carroll become premier. Will it be his downfall? (source-feed timestamp 2026-11-07T19:00:19+00:00). AI-assisted report based on the cited linked article and its RSS feed; details were not independently verified.