New ghost shift scam claims at Metro Tunnel spark major probe

A major investigation has been launched into allegations that Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel workers have been signing off on false timesheets — for the second time in two years on the Big Build project.

A major investigation into falsified timesheets is under way at the $15bn Metro Tunnel, after allegations of multimillion-dollar rorts emerged.

The probe into ghost shifts — where workers sign off on timesheets for work not done — is the second inside of two years on the Big Build project.

In 2023, the Herald Sun revealed a scam by which rail safety workers were being paid for multiple shifts in 24 hours, despite not turning up or doing only part of those shifts.

The national rail safety operator established the rort was real and there were examples of “falsification of timesheets for financial reward”.

But it remains unclear whether probes by Metro Trains and builders John Holland and CPB resulted in any action against the company involved, Morson labour hire.

The new probe, which was triggered by timesheets submitted by MC Labour according to Nine Entertainment newspapers, is also understood to be of a “significant scale” and involves millions of dollars.

A major investigation into falsified timesheets is under way at the $15bn Metro Tunnel. Picture: Vic Gov

It has also swept up union delegates at the CFMEU, two of whom have been removed from positions for alleged involvement.

National secretary of the CFMEU Zach Smith said the union had “taken action, and we strongly condemn this behaviour”.

“This is what the widespread use of labour hire can result in, and I call on the government and the consortium to have workers directly employed,” he said.

“There is no place for this behaviour in the industry. Our members are hardworking people who are building Australia’s infrastructure and should not be tainted by this.”

A Victorian government spokesman described the allegations as “extremely serious and deeply concerning”.

“We are aware CYP D&C Joint Venture is currently undertaking an urgent investigation and if there is found to be criminal activity, it will be referred to Victoria Police,” the spokesman said.

The new probe is understood to involve millions of dollars. Picture: David Geraghty

A spokeswoman for the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority said that the CYP joint venture, made up of John Holland and CPB, was probing allegations.

“CYP D&C Joint Venture has advised VIDA that it has identified timesheet charging anomalies and is currently undertaking an urgent investigation,” she said.

“Any companies or individuals doing the wrong thing will face serious consequences with the potential for allegations to be referred to Victoria Police.”

If there are any additional costs as a result of these allegations they will be borne by the consortium.

Shadow Minister for Major Projects, Evan Mulholland, said: “This Labor government has been a complicit by-stander in mass fraud on the taxpayer funded metro tunnel site”.

“The Big Build is the big rort because Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage major projects and seem unable to prevent the mass rorting of Victorian taxpayers’ money.”

Leader of the Opposition Brad Battin said: “Premier Jacinta Allan must be clear on whether she intends to remove MC Labour from the Metro Tunnel site as her predecessor claimed he would”.

“Victorians deserve to have a government that respects the taxpayer and spends their money wisely. This government clearly does neither.”

“Unlike Premier Allan’s decade of waste, the Liberals and Nationals have a clear solution: bikies off building sites, a Construction Enforcement Victoria watchdog, and a royal commission into CFMEU corruption.”

Originally published as New ghost shift scam claims at Metro Tunnel spark major probe