Taxpayers are footing the legal bills for former Victorian premiers Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan as a royal commission scrutinizes alleged misconduct within the state government's $100 billion Big Build program.
Premier Ben Carroll confirmed Monday that public funds are being used to cover the legal representation for both former leaders, stating it is "as per other previous royal commissions." Andrews had three lawyers present, and Allan is understood to have her own legal counsel. Neither former premier has been accused of wrongdoing.
When questioned about his comfort with taxpayers funding these legal fees, Carroll redirected the focus to ensuring a "strong, independent, robust royal commission."
Andrews, who resigned as premier, is reportedly entitled to a pension of up to $300,000 annually, a private driver for life, and up to $200,000 for expenses. He has been residing at a Mornington Peninsula property owned by a family that previously donated nearly $30,000 to the state Labor party. Allan is also expected to receive a similar pension exceeding $250,000 per year.
The royal commission is examining allegations of corruption and criminal influence within Victoria's construction industry, particularly concerning major government-funded infrastructure projects. The Big Build initiative has involved over $100 billion in road, rail, and tunnel projects.
Explosive allegations have emerged regarding organized crime figures and outlaw motorcycle gang associates involved in unlawful conduct and corruption on major construction sites. These claims surfaced in 2024, with reports suggesting that bikie members and criminals working as Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) delegates were paid substantial sums on taxpayer-funded projects.
In August 2024, these reports led to the federal government placing parts of the CFMEU into administration. Administrators subsequently commissioned a report that concluded the union's Victorian branch had "collapsed into a squalid mess." The report suggested taxpayers may have lost as much as $15 billion due to organized crime infiltration and corruption linked to Big Build projects, with allegations that the union exerted significant control over subcontractor and labor hire companies operating on these sites.
Allan had previously opposed an inquiry into the Big Build while serving as premier. Carroll, upon assuming leadership in July, launched the royal commission as his first official act.
The timing of the commission is politically sensitive for the state Labor party, occurring less than three weeks before the November 28 state election. A recent poll indicates Labor's primary vote has dropped significantly, with the Coalition leading on a two-party preferred basis.