VBA Corruption Probe: Dozens More Charges Laid

Twenty-eight more people are facing corruption charges as a probe into the Victorian Building Authority continues.

The state’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) said that the 28 are facing charges relating to allegations they have assessed or assisted in assessing builder registrations in exchange for financial benefit.

The charges are part of Operation Perseus, IBAC’s investigation into allegations of corrupt conduct at the Victorian Building Authority (VBA).

Those charged include a VBA employee and 27 others who were either building registration applicants or who allegedly helped to provide building registration applications for others.

The latest round of charges comes after six people were charged in 2024 as part of the investigation, including two VBA employees, two building registration applicants and two others allegedly involved in corrupt conduct. 

The most recently charged people are due to appear in the Melbourne Magistrate’s Court on January 30. 

▲ Victorian Building Authority chief executive Anna Cronin who was appointed as its board was dissolved following the corrupt conduct allegations.

IBAC is the agency responsible for preventing and exposing corruption in the public sector and police misconduct.

Its jurisdiction covers state and local government, police, parliament and the judiciary. 

The IBAC said it would not be providing comment as the matter was now before the Court.