Jacinta Allan admits criminals infiltrated Big Build but rejects calls for royal commission

Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has rejected growing calls for a royal commission into alleged corruption involving unions and labour hire companies, while admitting there was ‘organised criminal behaviour’ on some Big Build construction projects. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP View image in fullscreen Victorian premier Jacinta Allan has rejected growing calls for a royal commission into alleged corruption involving unions and labour hire companies, while admitting there was ‘organised criminal behaviour’ on some Big Build construction projects. Photograph: Con Chronis/AAP Jacinta Allan admits criminals infiltrated Big Build but rejects calls for royal commission Premier apologised over organised crime in some of Victoria’s largest construction projects, in op-ed that claimed a royal commission would not solve the issue Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast Jacinta Allan has admitted that criminals have infiltrated some of Victoria’s largest construction projects – but has again rejected growing calls for a royal commission into alleged corruption involving unions and labour hire companies. In an opinion piece published in the Age on Thursday night, the premier wrote that “we now know that criminals operated on some of Victoria’s construction sites” during projects dubbed by the Labor government as the Big Build. “There was violence, intimidation and organised criminal behaviour. That is shocking and unacceptable. It should never have happened,” Allan said. “It does not represent the overwhelming majority of decent, dedicated, proud union workers on these projects. But it still happened. I accept that. “I’m deeply sorry that it happened on projects funded by the Victorian people. Now the question is how we stop it happening again.” Only a royal commission can get to the bottom of mounting claims of misconduct on Victoria’s Big Build | Deborah Glass Read more But Allan wrote that a royal commission into the rorts would not solve the issue, despite repeated calls to hold one – including by Geoffrey Watson SC , who was appointed by the CFMEU’s administrator to investigate allegations of corruption and criminal offences within the union, and former Victorian ombudsman Deborah Glass . “Australia held a royal commission into trade unions in the last decade,” Allan wrote. “It cost $46 million, went after workers, achieved only one criminal conviction, and didn’t change the culture. “If the goal is another report, another royal commission will deliver one. If the goal is changing behaviour on worksites, changing the culture is the answer.” Sign up for the Breaking News Australia email Her piece was published after allegations were made that money from the Big Build was being paid to gangland figures and that the government was warned about cost blowouts due to CFMEU demands. While her op-ed acknowledged there had been criminality, Allan did not address claims – also published in t