Integrity expert Geoffrey Watson has stated that no representatives from the Victorian Labor government have reached out to him regarding his report on alleged corruption within the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU), which he claims has cost taxpayers $15 billion. Watson's report, presented during a Queensland inquiry, has faced public criticism from government officials without direct engagement from them to discuss his findings.
The inquiry revealed ongoing concerns about criminality in the construction sector, with new CFMEU administrator Michael Crosby acknowledging that corruption has inflated infrastructure costs in Victoria. Following the turmoil within the Labor party, including the resignation of former Premier Jacinta Allan, the new Premier Ben Carroll has committed to a royal commission to investigate the broader construction industry, indicating a potential shift in addressing these serious allegations.