General News
26 February, 2026
MP raises concerns amid corruption report
MEMBER for Lowan Emma Kealy has joined the chorus of opposition voices slamming the State Government in Parliament amid claims corruption and mismanagement saw billions fall into the hands of criminals.
The Allan Labor Government has been under fire following claims up to $15 billion in taxpayer dollars was funnelled to criminals on Melbourne construction sites.
The Victorian Government has labelled the claims unfounded but Ms Kealy, speaking in Parliament, scolded the government for what she said was squandering billions in taxpayer money through its Big Build program, in the biggest corruption scandal in Victoria’s history.
She said the corruption had cheated rural and regional communities of funding which could have gone towards healthcare, schools, roads and emergency services.
The Nationals and Liberals have since called for a Royal Commission into the misconduct, in a bid to ensure people who have rorted taxpayer money on government building sites will face jail.
Ms Kealy, who directly questioned the Premier twice in Parliament last week, said the scandal was “further proof the government was morally and ethically bankrupt”.
“That money equates to more than $170 million for every Victorian electorate – about $5000 per household – that could have been spent on our roads, fixing hospitals and recruiting teachers and childcare workers,” she said.
“Instead, Labor gave it to bikies and criminal gangs, and the Premier refuses to do anything.
“On Wednesday, every non-government political party voted in Parliament in support of establishing a Royal Commission into this misconduct, but the Premier and her Labor government have continued to deflect and will not take any responsibility.”
Ms Kealy said a thorough investigation needed to take place without government stalling or intervention.
“What’s worse is that the Premier knew a referral to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission more than a year ago was dismissed because IBAC had insufficient powers to investigate, and yet she refused to give the commission the power to act,” she said.
“IBAC must be given the power and resources it needs to rout out corruption in our state.
“Victorians deserve straight answers, accountability and transparency, but under Jacinta Allan and Labor they get lies, cover-ups and avoidance, all while the government uses their hard-end money to further
its own interests.
“Victorians need a government they can trust, and at the state election in November they will have a clear choice.
“The only way to get rid of corrupt Labor is to vote for a Nationals and Liberals government.”
Ms Kealy encouraged people to share their views on the issue at https://vic.nationals.org.au/anti-corruption.