Building Bad

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Victoria failed to learn the lessons from the past and arm its corruption watchdog with teeth.

‘Norm’s a bit short’: The history lessons Victoria failed to learn

In 1981, it was $20,000 cash and a beach house. Today, it’s organised crime infiltrating the CFMEU – and a toothless watchdog. It’s time to fix it. John Silvester outlines how.

  • John Silvester

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Mick Gatto wearing a shirt with an M Group logo in 2017.

Officer of Gatto-linked company obtained labour hire licence despite strip club scandal

The state opposition has continued to question the premier over companies linked to the gangland figure.

  • Kieran Rooney
Mick Gatto at Caulfield Racecourse on Wednesday.

Victorian watchdog moves to ban Gatto-linked labour hire company

The Labour Hire Authority is acting to strip the licence of a company closely linked to the underworld figure.

  • Nick McKenzie, Matt Dennien and Kieran Rooney
Counsel assisting the inquiry Patrick Wheelahan and Commissioner Stuart Wood outside a traffic management company on the Gold Coast.

CFMEU inquiry calls for details on potential Gatto-linked traffic firm

Inquiry figures held a media conference outside a traffic equipment supplier on the Gold Coast, urging anyone with information to come forward.

  • Matt Dennien
Premier Jacinta Allan again rebuffed calls to expand the corruption watchdog’s powers.

Watchdog lashes Victoria’s Big Build agency over ‘poor’ records

Asked to investigate allegations of misconduct, the ombudsman was stymied by lax record-keeping around spending at the agency managing the state’s $100 billion infrastructure program.

  • Nick McKenzie and Kieran Rooney
Jess Wilson has thrown herself into sharp media grabs skewering the decaying Allan government, but needs to show more substance.

US-style laws proposed to tackle Big Build corruption in Victoria

Opposition leader Jess Wilson has pledged to chase down corruption with anti-mafia powers if elected, as the Allan government dodged a vote on boosting powers for IBAC.

  • Kieran Rooney and Rachel Eddie
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The ‘sensible’ centre.

I’m a swinging voter. Here’s why prospect of a new centre-right party has me excited

A new centrist party wouldn’t have to do much to win my vote – a good start would be recruiting people who aren’t in bed with big business or corrupt unions.

  • Kylie Moore-Gilbert
Jacinta Allan weighs IBAC changes amid Big Build scandal

Rogue builders were put on notice. They cancelled their licences in droves

As the Allan government weighs its next move in the fight against corruption, construction companies have been urged to act in secret talks.

  • Kieran Rooney
Joel Leavitt.

Further charges laid against ex-CFMEU official Joel Leavitt

The 32-year-old was arrested this morning and charged with breaching bail.

  • Alexander Darling
Former CFMEU head John Setka was arrested on Wednesday morning.

Setka charged with harassing a CFMEU administrator

The disgraced former union boss is facing fresh criminal charges over allegations he issued a Christmas Day threat to an official from the union’s administration.

  • Alexander Darling and Mathew Dunckley