A royal commission into alleged corruption on Victorian Big Build work sites is being led by former South Australian chief justice Chris Kourakis, with its opening hearing due to lay the foundations for the inquiry.
Mr Kourakis served as South Australia’s chief justice from 2012 until retiring from the bench earlier this year. He was previously the state’s solicitor-general between 2003 and 2008.
Victorian barristers Chris Young KC and Christopher Carr SC have been appointed as counsel assisting the commission.
Mr Young practises in public and commercial law and has appeared in cases involving building and construction projects. Mr Carr, who chairs the Victorian Criminal Bar Association, practises in criminal and administrative law.
The commission has not yet published a list of potential witnesses. However, the powers granted to Mr Kourakis extend into executive government, allowing him to call politicians and advisers as well as public servants, union leaders and building companies.
Those who could be called include Jacinta Allan and Daniel Andrews, along with senior advisers who reportedly warned Ms Allan in writing about alleged lawless tactics by the CFMEU, cost blowouts and the reported infiltration of organised crime on taxpayer-funded projects.
Premier Ben Carroll announced Mr Kourakis’s appointment last month.
