Questions surround the Victorian premier's introduction of a 'new' taskforce to investigate claims of corruption and crime-gang infiltration on Big Build sites.
Questions surround the Victorian premier's introduction of a "new" taskforce to investigate claims of corruption and crime-gang infiltration on taxpayer-funded construction sites, after police revealed the squad had been operating for months.
Jacinta Allan today declared police resources would be deployed to investigate allegations that organised crime figures, including bikies, had infiltrated the Big Build sites, following a 60 Minutes report last night.
But 9News understands Operation Hawk has in fact been running since at least early August, when similar allegations were first aired and an administrator was engaged to take over the CFMEU.
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Allan today denied corruption on Big Build worksites had been covered up.
"What we saw last night with further revelations and information was again shocking and completely unacceptable," she said.
"Which is why this morning I met with the acting chief commissioner of police and it's why I support the actions that Victoria Police are taking in immediately establishing Operation Hawk."
The allegations included suggestions bikies profiteered on taxpayer-funded build sites, employed stand over tactics and ripped of taxpayers.
In a statement, Victoria Police said Operation Hawk was "newly expanded" following fresh allegations, including assaults against female workers in the construction industry.
"The behaviour is of such concern to police that we have deployed additional detectives to help assess new intelligence and evidence as well as proactively target organised crime associated with the construction industry," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.
Operation Hawk will focus on blackmail, extortion, assaults and threats to life and property, police said.
Detectives from specialist anti-bikie Taskforce Echo and the Financial Crime Squad are also contributing to the operation.
"Victoria Police has investigated a range of allegations about corrupt and criminal activity relating to the construction industry," a spokesperson said.
"Detectives from the Financial Crime Squad, working as part of Operation Hawk, have additionally conducted extensive assessments of more than 55 separate reports provided to police."
Police said three matters linked to the CFMEU are currently under investigation, including charges against a CFMEU official who allegedly made threats to inflict serious injury against labour hire company owners.
Investigations into claims another CFMEU official received secret commissions are also underway, police said.
Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton described Allan's action on the matter as "a wet lettuce response".
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"This is the biggest corruption scandal in our country's history," Dutton said.
"It's pathetic, it's a green light for the CFMEU to keep operating as they are."
The premier also had to defend the review she held last year after it was panned by an investigator who is working to clean up the union.
"The Wilson report, it seemed to me, to be more of a cover-up," Geoffrey Watson SC told 60 Minutes last night.
"It operates as a cover-up because it didn't get to the bottom of anything."
Watson also claimed colourful Melbourne identity Mick Gatto "sits at the centre of the web... spreading all over the construction industry in Victoria".
Gatto declined to comment to 9News, but hit back in a podcast, denying involvement. No charges have been laid against Gatto.
"Look I've got nothing to do with the bikies," Gatto said.
"As far as me being the head honcho, pulling all the strings and whatever, produce the evidence.
"If I've done something wrong, come and charge me... I've done nothing wrong."
Anyone with information that may assist police is encouraged to phone Crime Stoppers via 1800 333 000 or make a confidential report via crimestoppersvic.com.au.
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