Victoria Premier misled about Operation Hawk's timeline

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan recently announced the launch of Operation Hawk in response to ongoing corruption allegations in the construction industry. She expressed shock over the situation and showed support for the actions of Victoria Police. However, many believe her statements do not accurately reflect the reality of the situation. The operation was not new; it was actually started nine months ago following earlier reports of organized crime in the construction sector. Allan's announcement came after a brief Teams call with acting Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent, not an in-person meeting as might have been expected. This raised questions among police officers about why the operation was presented as something recent. Victoria Police later clarified that Operation Hawk had been expanded but had been ongoing. The police had been assessing over 50 allegations related to corruption and crime, resulting in only one charge against a CFMEU official so far. The government has also faced criticism for delays in implementing new laws aimed at combating organized crime in construction. Allan's confusion highlights a lack of communication and curiosity within the government regarding police efforts. While she has publicly expressed the importance of addressing crime, her limited knowledge of ongoing investigations raises concerns about the government's commitment to tackling corruption in the construction industry. Overall, the situation has embarrassed both the government and Victoria Police for failing to address serious issues effectively.