CFMEU allegations threaten Jacinta Allan's leadership

A report by Geoffrey Watson alleges long-running corruption within the Victorian CFMEU and redacted chapters claim large taxpayer losses; an administrator has removed those chapters and sacked staff, and questions remain about what Premier Jacinta Allan knew and when.

Geoffrey Watson SC's report alleges long-running corruption within the Victorian branch of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime and Energy Union (CFMEU). The report was released to a Queensland inquiry and included two redacted chapters that have drawn political scrutiny. An administrator was appointed to the union's construction arm in 2024 and has since overseen staff changes and removed the contested chapters. The controversy has prompted calls for further inquiries and parliamentary debate. Key facts: - The Watson report alleges misconduct in the Victorian CFMEU and included a redacted claim that taxpayer losses were at least $15 billion. - The CFMEU's administrator removed the redacted chapters and reports indicate about 270 union officials and staff have left or been removed since administration began. - Premier Jacinta Allan referred allegations to the state's corruption watchdog, IBAC, in 2024; IBAC later told the premier it considered the matter outside its remit and Allan has publicly rejected the $15 billion figure. Summary: The report has intensified political scrutiny of the CFMEU and of Premier Jacinta Allan because of her prior role overseeing major state projects. Administrators have taken personnel and document actions and state politics now include calls for a royal commission and proposed laws to trace public funds, with parliamentary debate and formal inquiries under consideration.