Victoria’s New IBAC Powers Come With a Big Catch
Synopsis
Victoria’s IBAC reform expands the watchdog’s powers over private contractors and serious misconduct but restricts retrospective investigations, prompting criticism over past allegations involving the Big Build.
IBAC reform legislation in Victoria will extend the powers of the state’s anti-corruption watchdog over private contractors but restrict its scope to revisit some of its own investigations.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission Amendment Bill 2026 was introduced to the State Parliament by the Premier Ben Carroll on 8 September. The IBAC reform will allow the independent watchdog to trace the flow of Public Money into private pockets and spend on private contractors.
Broader Powers, Limited Reach Into Past Cases
The IBAC reform will also lower the threshold of conduct under investigation by the watchdog and extend the scope of corrupt practices.
The proposed legislation will cover matters of a serious nature relating to the conduct of Ministers, Members of Parliament, and local councillors, including breaches of the code of ethics.
The bill’s transitionary arrangements have drawn criticism, as they seek to prevent the IBAC from re-opening complaints already dealt with or referred to other authorities and investigations already concluded.
This concern has been amplified by IBAC’s recent and very public dealings with the corruption allegations involving the CFMEU and Big Build workers in 2024. The anti-corruption watchdog investigated these matters and concluded that the private sector and individual contractors’ conduct was not within IBAC’s jurisdiction.
According to the Victorian Government, the Big Build is a $100 billion transport infrastructure investment, spanning more than 180 road and rail projects and supporting more than 20,000 jobs.
Critics Seek Retrospective IBAC Powers
Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich and Transparency International Australia CEO Clancy Moore have both criticized the retrospective nature of the proposed reform. Meanwhile, the Victorian Opposition and the Greens have condemned the move and are pressing for changes to allow IBAC to review old cases with expanded powers.
Premier Carroll defended the reform but noted that a Royal Commission had been established to inquire into malfeasance in the big build industry in Victoria. The government will also establish the State’s first Office of the Special Prosecutor. The new laws will allow the Special Prosecutor to share evidence with Victoria Police, IBAC, and other agencies involved in the oversight of the big infrastructure projects.
The latest available data relates to the 2024–25 financial year and shows that IBAC received 3,544 complaints, 559 notifications, and 426 public interest disclosures.
This information reflects the workload of the anti-corruption watchdog, which will soon be able to expand its work if the reform is approved by the Parliament.
Source: AFR
Pooja Malik is a business journalist with over six years of experience covering startups, entrepreneurship, and emerging trends. She has previously worked with leading media platforms such as YourStory Media and BW BusinessWorld, where she reported on business, policy, and market developments. Currently, she serves as Editor at The Inspirepreneur Magazine, where she writes and edits stories across business, lifestyle, and travel, with a focus on clarity, accuracy, and reader relevance.
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