The Carroll Labor Government’s IBAC Amendment Bill 2026 does not go far enough to give Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog the powers it needs, The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has warned.
Speaking in Parliament, Ms Benham said Labor had spent years resisting calls to strengthen IBAC, including voting down Coalition private members’ bills that sought to address shortcomings in the watchdog’s powers.
“Let’s not sanitise the history that forced the Labor Government to bring these changes here. They have been forced. They have been dragged here kicking and screaming to address this issue.
“These changes are long overdue, but the Bill as it stands does not go far enough.”
Ms Benham, a member of Parliament’s Integrity and Oversight Committee, said the committee’s inquiry into IBAC’s legislative framework made 31 recommendations, including giving IBAC greater ability to follow public money and addressing the threshold for corrupt conduct.
The need for those powers was brought into sharp focus by allegations surrounding the CFMEU and the Victorian Big Build, where billions of dollars of public money were being spent but IBAC’s existing laws limited its ability to follow that money through unions, contractors and subcontractors.
“If we are going to expand IBAC’s powers, those powers need to apply to the issues that exposed the weaknesses in the first place.
“Where’s the $15 billion? That is the question Victorians have every right to ask.”
The Coalition is seeking amendments to ensure the expanded powers can properly deal with past matters and to require timely reporting on Government investigations, including more recently Operation Richmond.
“IBAC must have the powers to follow the money, investigate serious misconduct and provide answers to Victorians.
“That is what accountability looks like.”
