Joint Statement - New powers to chase down every cent lost to Labor’s major project corruption

Joint Statement – New powers to chase down every cent lost to Labor’s major project corruption 

Jess Wilson, Leader of the Opposition

James Newbury, Shadow Attorney-General

Tuesday 17 February 2026 

Victoria’s anti-corruption agency will be given the powers it needs to chase down misappropriated taxpayer money under a future Wilson Liberal and Nationals Government.

Currently, the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) has insufficient powers to investigate how public funds are spent by third parties.

This means IBAC has been left powerless to investigate the full extent of the $15 billion rorted through misconduct on taxpayer-funded major projects under Labor – the largest corruption scandal in Victoria’s history.

For years, IBAC has called on the Allan Labor Government to implement ‘follow the money’ powers, yet these pleas have been repeatedly ignored.

Leader of the Opposition, Jess Wilson, said: “Only a government I lead will clean up Victoria and chase down every single cent of taxpayer money rorted under Labor.

“With Premier Allan turning a blind eye to $15 billion of rorts on major projects, the dire state of Victoria’s finances should be no surprise.

“This is the largest corruption scandal in Victoria’s history and our anti-corruption watchdog must be given the powers it needs to investigate.”

Shadow Attorney-General, James Newbury, said: “Victorians deserve to know where their money has gone and that everything possible is being done to get it back.

“The Labor Party has ignored the calls of IBAC all whilst benefitting from major project corruption. Only a Liberal and Nationals Government will end the rorts and ensure IBAC has the powers it needs to do its job.”