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An investigation into allegations of corrupt conduct involving councillors and property developers in Melbourne's south-east. This report also examines the effectiveness of Victoria's systems and controls for safeguarding the integrity of the state's planning processes.

Victorian major infrastructure projects make up a complex sector that receives billions of taxpayer dollars each year. The 2022-23 Victorian State Budget committed $3.5 billion to public transport services and infrastructure. These major projects are under pressure to complete constructions and provide essential buildings and services for Victorians. The Victorian community expects major infrastructure projects to be managed with integrity to ensure public funds are handled appropriately, and to minimise the risks of corruption.

Victorian councils play a pivotal role in providing and maintaining a wide range of services, programs and infrastructure for their communities. With responsibility for the management of community infrastructure worth approximately $90 billion and delivery of more than $7 billion in critical public services every year, councils spend between 45 per cent and 60 per cent of their annual budgets on procurement. Considerable power is therefore vested in public officers of councils to source suppliers, manage contracts and authorise payment for goods, services and works – using public money.