Victorian premier says 'nothing off limits' in construction royal commission

Former chief justice Christopher Kourakis to head Victoria's royal commission into construction sectorPosted Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 12:27pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 12:27pm, updated Thu 20 Aug 2026 at 1:30pmThu 20 Aug 2026 at 1:30pmVictorian Premier Ben Carroll has released the terms of reference for the royal commission into corruption in the construction sector. (ABC News: Tara Whitchurch)In short:Premier Ben Carroll has announced that Christopher Kourakis, a former SA Supreme Court chief justice, will lead the royal commission into Victoria's troubled construction sector.Mr Carroll has also released the terms of reference for the commission, which will examine damning allegations of the criminal infiltration of unions and building sites.What's next?Mr Kourakis will report back to government no later than August 20 next year.Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has named former South Australian Supreme Court chief justice Christopher Kourakis to head up a royal commission into corruption in the construction sector.Mr Carroll today released the terms of reference for the royal commission into the integrity of major public and civil infrastructure construction projects in Victoria, which define what the inquiry should investigate.The royal commission has a budget of $50 million.Mr Kourakis, who retired as SA's chief justice last year after 13 years in the role, will report back to government no later than August 20 next year."I chose someone independent, rigorous and fearless. The best in Australia. Because that is what this job demands," Mr Carroll said in a statement.The royal commission is in response to damning allegations of criminal infiltration of unions and building sites that have dogged the Labor government.Former South Australian Supreme Court chief justice Christopher Kourakis will lead the royal commission. (ABC News: Lincoln Rothall)Former premier Jacinta Allan refused to call a commission despite the allegations and internal pressure to do so."The terms of reference are broad and expansive. Nothing is off limits," Mr Carroll said."They cover the conduct of the CFMEU, construction companies, labour hire firms, consortia and criminal actors on Victoria's major projects. "And they cover the role of government; the executive, government departments and delivery agencies in overseeing the projects."Mr Kourakis is the son of Greek migrants, and grew up in South Australia, graduating from the University of Adelaide in 1981.He worked at the Legal Services Commission for many years before joining the private bar in 1989 and became the first silk in SA to take the Senior Counsel title instead of Queens Counsel.In announcing the royal commission last month, Mr Carroll promised an exhaustive investigation into the allegations of corruption and violence on the government's Big Build sites.Estimates suggest Victorian taxpayers have lost up to $15 billion due to criminal activity.In July, the new premier said he wanted "exhaustive" terms of reference that would leave no-one outside the investigation's scope."I want no stone unturned, whether it is top-tier contractors, subcontractors, labour hire, government, unions," he said at the time.Anti-corruption barrister Geoffrey Watson had described the announcement of a royal commission as "music to [his] ears".But Liberal leader Jess Wilson described it as a "fake royal commission"."If Ben Carroll is serious about a real royal commission into the largest corruption in this state's history, of course it should be set up before the election," she said.