Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan has stated there is currently no evidence that outlaw motorcycle gangs, commonly referred to as bikies, have financially benefited from the North East Link infrastructure project.

Her comments came as she marked a construction milestone, with excavation completed on the first of two major tunnels forming part of the $26 billion project.

The Premier made the remarks while responding to media questions following recent reporting that had raised concerns about potential links between construction contractors and organised crime figures.The denial follows a period of heightened scrutiny over Victoria’s Big Build infrastructure program.

A recent investigative report into corruption within major infrastructure projects alleged that bribery, drug trafficking, and bikie gang infiltration had occurred across taxpayer-funded worksites, with potential costs estimated at billions of dollars.

Further media reports have also raised concerns about labour hire companies involved in major projects, including allegations of links to criminal figures and inappropriate hiring practices.

Despite these concerns, Allan maintained that authorities such as Victoria Police and the Labour Hire Authority are equipped to investigate any credible evidence of wrongdoing.

She highlighted existing enforcement actions, including licence cancellations and charges laid in the construction sector, as evidence of ongoing oversight.However, she stressed that investigations require substantiated evidence rather than unverified claims.

The North East Link project, a 10-kilometre toll road designed to connect Melbourne’s M80 Ring Road with the Eastern Freeway, is expected to open in 2028.The government claims it will significantly reduce truck traffic on suburban roads.The project’s cost has more than doubled from initial estimates, and the federal government has increased its contribution to $5 billion.While one tunnel has now reached completion in excavation, the second is still under construction.