Courage or a cop-out? Carroll faces defining test in his very first decision

July 29, 2026 — 5:00am

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Ben Carroll has been Victoria’s premier for less than 24 hours, and he already faces a decision that will define his leadership.

Does Carroll have the courage to establish a royal commission into criminality and corruption on the Big Build that not only goes after low-hanging fruit, like the infantile and abusive former CFMEU boss John Setka, but also seeks to hold politicians like Jacinta Allan accountable for the wrongdoing that occurred on their watch?

Or will it be a Claytons inquiry that perpetuates accusations of a long-running cover-up that dogged his predecessor, Allan?

A royal commissioner should have the authority to ask why Allan resisted a searching, independent inquiry into wrongdoing by the CFMEU and its gangster mates on major Victorian projects. The commission must be allowed to ask, on behalf of Victorians, whether her actions – or inaction – contributed to an environment that allowed wanton misbehaviour to take root.

Allan was the minister responsible for the Big Build when the union, alongside its bikie and underworld backers, moved in, and got rich or powerful, or sometimes both.

She was in charge, either as minister or premier, as the Labor government enabled the CFMEU’s Big Build power grab over road, hospital and rail projects.

A royal commissioner should determine whether Allan did so wilfully or recklessly. But the fact it happened on her watch is indisputable.

Was it for reasons of factional convenience and political stability that Allan’s office allegedly pressured major contractors to allow the CFMEU to take over the Gap Road level crossing project in 2022, bringing with it a labour hire firm whose boss recently pleaded guilty to falsifying documents involving suspected bribes?

Was the Metro Tunnel consortium spot on when, in a dynamite 89-page document dated May 2024, it accused the Labor government of forcing it to cede control to the CFMEU on parts of the taxpayer-funded mega-project – including which subcontractors could be used – leading to a $200 million blowout in labour hire costs?

Was famed corruption buster Geoffrey Watson right in........

© The Age