How you are paying for Daniel Andrews’ army of lawyers as he lives at rich donor’s beachside mansion and pockets $300k-a-year pension (and a private driver) for the rest of his life

Victoria is using taxpayer funds to cover the legal costs of former premiers Daniel Andrews and Jacinta Allan as a royal commission investigates alleged misconduct in the state’s Big Build programme. Neither former premier has been accused of wrongdoing, and Premier Ben Carroll said public funding was in line with arrangements at previous royal commissions.

The inquiry is examining claims of corruption and criminal influence in Victoria’s construction industry, including allegations involving CFMEU delegates and organised crime. A 2024 investigation into the union’s Victorian branch suggested corruption could have cost taxpayers as much as A$15 billion. The article also reports that Andrews may receive a pension of up to A$300,000 a year and a private driver, while Allan’s pension was expected to exceed A$250,000; the inquiry comes shortly before the state election on 28 November.