Why Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan could be dragged into a royal commission

By NICHOLAS COMINO, POLITICAL REPORTER, AUSTRALIA Published: 03:20, 30 July 2026 | Updated: 03:20, 30 July 2026 Ex-premiers Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan are among high-profile Labor figures who could be called to give evidence before a Royal Commission into corruption in Victoria's construction sector. Premier Ben Carroll has promised to undertake what he calls an 'exhaustive' probe into the state's Big Build projects. In the first major act of his premiership, Carroll announced on Tuesday that the inquiry would have the power to investigate conduct dating back to 2014, when Andrews first led Labor to office. The Royal Commission will examine links between government agencies, unions, builders and regulators, and has the power to compel former ministers, public servants and industry figures to testify if their evidence is considered relevant. The move follows months of explosive allegations of entrenched corruption on major taxpayer-funded construction projects, claims that engulfed the Allan government and fuelled calls for a full-scale judicial inquiry. Despite mounting pressure, Allan repeatedly resisted calls for a Royal Commission.  As Infrastructure Minister and later Premier, Allan oversaw the Big Build during a period when the CFMEU dramatically expanded its influence across Victoria's construction industry, amid allegations that bikie-linked and organised crime figures had infiltrated key projects. During this period, Labor pressed ahead with multi-billion-dollar road, rail and hospital developments while the union consolidated its industrial and political power across the sector. Daily Mail understands the prospect of current and former MPs, ministerial staff and senior officials being called to give evidence has sparked significant anxiety within Labor and union circles. Jacinta Allan (pictured) refused to call a Royal Commission into corruption on Big Build sites  That concern was evident on Wednesday, when senior minister and Allan ally Steve Dimopoulos repeatedly refused to say whether he personally supported the Royal Commission. 'In politics, we have a team and the team has a view,' Dimopoulos told reporters. When pressed again on his personal position, the minister grew frustrated. 'Do you understand how politics works?' he replied. Allan and several of her supporters are understood to have been among the strongest internal opponents of a royal commission before Carroll took over the leadership. Determined to draw a line under the controversy, Carroll used his first day in office to distance his administration from the approach of his predecessors and present himself as leader of a reset government. 'In my government, integrity will not be optional, whether in business, politics or the union movement there will be zero tolerance for those who misuse their positions,' he said. 'That is why my first action as premier will be to call a Royal Commission into the construction sector.' The inquiry will go back to the start of the Labor government, under Daniel Andrews (pictured)  The inquiry will operate without a deadline, giving investigators broad scope to examine decisions and conduct spanning Labor's entire period in government. The state government will also establish a special prosecutor to work alongside the Royal Commission and pursue any criminal matters arising from its findings. The Opposition meanwhile has accused the government of conducting a 'sham' inquiry, arguing a Royal Commission under a Coalition government would be far more wide-reaching across all aspects of the sector. 'My first act as Premier will be to call a real royal commission into Big Build corruption - not a sham royal commission lite designed to save Labor’s furniture but an unblinking forensic inquiry into this corrupt government,' Opposition leader Jess Wilson said on Tuesday. 'I will do this immediately before Christmas. Only a government I lead will actually pursue the $15 billion funnelled to the CFMEU and organised crime.'