Dozens charged as part of an anti-corruption probe into home building sector bribes

A Victorian Building Authority worker is among dozens of people charged by the state’s anti-corruption commission after an investigation into bribes being paid for building registrations.

Dozens of people have been charged after an investigation into bribes being paid for building registrations. Stock image.

Dozens of people have been charged by the state’s anti-corruption commission following an investigation into bribes being paid for building registrations.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) released a statement on Thursday saying that 28 people had been charged as part of Operation Perseus.

Those charged include a Victorian Building Authority worker, and 27 people who were building registration applicants or allegedly involved in securing registrations for others.

The IBAC had previously charged six others involved in the alleged corruption, including two former VBA employees.

Suspicious behaviour at the VBA was self-reported to the IBAC by the home building regulator’s chief executive Anna Cronin in June 2023, following her appointment to the role.

At the time the crisis was revealed, Ms Cronin said the VBA was supporting the anti-corruption investigation and had stood down employees charged with criminal offences, following raids on homes across Melbourne.

Ms Cronin also promised to review impacts of the alleged bribes and “ensure the integrity of our systems”.

The new statement from the IBAC says the 28 people recently charged as part of the probe were scheduled to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on January 30.