Royal commission hears construction firm feared sidelining CFMEU over government links

The Guardian reported that a major construction company told the royal commission into alleged corruption on Victorian Big Build projects that it feared putting the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) offside because of the union’s close links to the Daniel Andrews Labor government. The commission’s first block of hearings will focus on evidence about the CFMEU’s involvement in the 2022 level crossing removal project at Gap Road in Sunbury, north of Melbourne. The inquiry is examining the integrity of large public and civil infrastructure construction projects in Victoria. By hearing the company’s concerns, the commission aims to assess whether political connections may have affected decisions on the project.

Why it matters

The testimony points to possible undue influence of a powerful union on government infrastructure decisions, a key issue in the corruption probe.

Key details

Location

United Kingdom · Europe

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

9 Nov 2026, 10:04 IST

Key names

CFMEU, Big Build, Victorian Big Build, Victorian

Section

Politics

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianCFMEU ‘enjoy a significant level of influence’ over Victorian government, Big Build royal commission hears 9 Nov, 10:04

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

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