The Allan Government is facing mounting criticism after refusing to release the bulk of documents linked to alleged corruption on major taxpayer-funded infrastructure projects.
It is reported that a Freedom of Information request lodged by Liberal MP David Davis uncovered 1,082 pages of material held by the Department of Premier and Cabinet relating to corruption concerns on the state’s Big Build program between 2020 and 2025. However, only 132 pages were released—many heavily redacted—while roughly 950 pages were withheld.
The decision has sparked accusations of a lack of transparency, with Davis claiming the government’s response showed “clear contempt for Victorians”.
“The State Labor government’s inability to find or release key documents concerning corruption on Big Build sites raises serious questions,” he told AFR, pointing to claims that the issue has cost taxpayers billions.
SkyNews reported that the documents relate to allegations involving the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and its conduct on major infrastructure sites—an issue that has become a growing political flashpoint ahead of Victoria’s next state election.
Adding to the controversy, all of the material released by the Premier’s department is dated after July 2024, when media investigations first exposed the extent of the alleged misconduct. This has intensified scrutiny over what the government knew prior to that period.
Premier Jacinta Allan has consistently maintained she only became aware of the “widespread nature” of the issue when it entered the public domain. However, critics argue briefings may have occurred as early as 2022, raising questions about whether warnings were overlooked.
The Department of Transport and Planning further fuelled concerns after responding to a separate request by stating it could not locate any documents relating to the corruption allegations—despite being involved in a legal matter concerning briefings provided to Allan during her tenure as transport minister.
Government officials have defended the decision to withhold documents, citing standard exemptions under Freedom of Information laws. These include cabinet confidentiality, legal professional privilege, draft policy advice and personal privacy considerations.
But the scale of the redactions—estimated at nearly 87 per cent of identified material—has drawn sharp criticism from the Opposition, which argues the public has a right to understand how taxpayer funds were managed.
The controversy comes as calls grow for a broader inquiry into the scandal. Former anti-corruption commissioner Robert Redlich has backed the establishment of a Royal Commission, arguing the scope of alleged misconduct is too large for existing watchdogs to handle.
“This is such a broad and long-running pattern of conduct that it goes beyond the capacity of IBAC,” he said previously.
While the government insists it is taking steps to clean up the construction sector, it remains the only party in the Victorian parliament to oppose a Royal Commission into the issue.
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