SA premier refers $15b project to ICAC over bikie 'infiltration' fears
Fears of outlaw bikie involvement in South Australia's biggest infrastructure project prompt the premier to ask SA's corruption watchdog to investigate.
The $15 billion Torrens to Darlington road project in South Australia has come under scrutiny after reports emerged of a possible connection to an outlaw motorcycle gang. Premier Peter Malinauskas has referred the massive infrastructure project to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) as a precautionary measure, requesting an evaluation of financial safeguards.
The government maintains no evidence of criminal involvement in the project, but Malinauskas has asked ICAC to examine integrity safeguards surrounding procurement and contracting arrangements. The move comes following pressure from the state opposition, which expressed concerns about potential criminal infiltration in major projects.
The government has stated that the ICAC investigation will assess safeguards against improper influence, conflicts of interest, and infiltration by organized crime. With no evidence of organized crime accessing the Torrens to Darlington project, the government is determined to maintain the integrity of the project and ensure taxpayer funds do not end up in the hands of criminals.
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