Victoria’s royal commission into alleged corruption in the construction sector will hold its first public hearing in Melbourne on Wednesday.
Commissioner Christopher Kourakis, a former chief justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia, is due to open the inquiry at 10am at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.
The hearing is expected to set out the scope of the investigation, which will examine allegations of corruption and criminal activity linked to major public construction projects, including work carried out under the $100 billion Big Build programme.
The opening session will also be live-streamed on the royal commission’s website. Future hearings are expected to take place in public unless Mr Kourakis decides that part of a hearing should be held privately.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll announced the Royal Commission into the Integrity of Major Public and Civil Infrastructure Construction Projects last month, after promising to establish the inquiry when he toppled former premier Jacinta Allen in July.
“We are giving this royal commission the broadest, most extensive, wide-ranging powers. Full transparency, nothing is off limits,” Mr Carroll said. “Victorians deserve answers and this royal commission will provide them.”
Its terms of reference require the commissioner to determine the extent of any corruption, assess the effectiveness of government oversight and recommend ways to reduce the risk of criminal conduct.
The $50 million inquiry is due to report its findings by August 20 next year, unless its deadline is extended. The Victorian Government is also establishing an Office of the Special Prosecutor to pursue any charges that may arise from the commission’s work.
