The Victorian government is expanding the authority of state Royal Commissions and establishing an independent Office of the Special Prosecutor to ensure misconduct uncovered in the major infrastructure construction sector is criminally prosecuted.
The legislative push comes as the government introduces the Inquiries Amendment (Special Prosecutor) Bill 2026 to Parliament this week.
The Bill will establish Victoria’s first Office of the Special Prosecutor and also allow them to be equipped with additional powers next year.
Because Royal Commissions lack the statutory authority to lay charges or prosecute individuals, the new legislation creates a dedicated Special Prosecutor to bridge the gap between investigative findings and criminal justice.
Following consultation with the Royal Commissioner, the independent Special Prosecutor will receive evidence from the inquiry and refer actionable material directly to Victoria Police, the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC), and relevant regulatory and licensing authorities. The Special Prosecutor’s office is set to receive further expanded powers next year.
The Bill also immediately grants all Victorian Royal Commissions broader powers to compel written statements and information outside formal public hearings. Under the reforms, individuals can be directly questioned and required to provide written responses, preventing figures from avoiding scrutiny due to an absence of physical paperwork. Failure to comply will carry criminal offences.
Premier Ben Carroll noted that Victorians deserve complete transparency regarding corrupt conduct on public building sites.
“They deserve to know how organised crime found its way onto building sites, who allowed it to happen, and how we make sure it never happens again,” Carroll said.
Special Minister of State Ingrid Stitt noted that the sweeping reforms would strengthen investigative capabilities statewide.
“These new powers will strengthen all Royal Commissions in this state,” Stitt said.
The legislative changes follow the funding and creation of the Organised Crime Command within Victoria Police, which brings together specialised units to target criminal networks across the state.
