Regrettable references and claims of ‘rigged’ election laws: why this week has reignited Jacinta Allan spill rumours

Jacinta Allan faced three major tests this week. The way she handled them has left some of her colleagues speculating about a possible leadership change just months out from the Victorian election. The first came on Monday, as the premier responded to a parliamentary inquiry that six months ago recommended sweeping reforms to Victoria’s integrity laws. Allan agreed to give the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac) follow-the-dollar powers to investigate the spending of public money by private contractors and subcontractors, as well as a broader definition of corrupt conduct, which will make it easier to launch investigations and hold public hearings. But for some Labor MPs, it felt like too little too late. Ibac has been seeking many of these powers for a decade and it comes almost two years after allegations of union corruption on Victorian government projects first emerged, followed by a steady stream of damaging headlines about bikies, drugs and strippers on construction sites . If Labor wins the November election, the reforms won’t be legislated until late 2027. If the opposition wins, it will introduce follow-the-money powers in December but is yet to commit to changing the definition of corruption. Several Labor MPs, unauthorised to speak publicly, say the premier should have acted months ago – particularly after the release of a report that suggested union corruption could have cost taxpayers up to $15bn . …