Two letters penned to then-transport minister Jacinta Allan by Victoria's Major Transport Infrastructure Authority in June 2023 were among the first documents submitted during opening hearings in the royal commission into the construction sector in Melbourne on Wednesday.
The letter informed Ms Allan, who was sworn in as the state's premier two months later, of industrial relations issues.
These included allegations of intimidatory behaviour towards contractors and outlaw motorcycle gang members and criminals being present on government work sites.
The signature box was left empty by Ms Allan and she claims she was not aware of the brief, Counsel Assisting Chris Young KC told the inquiry in his opening address.
"Whether, when, and how its contents reached the former premier are questions this commission will examine, and the former premier will have every opportunity to respond," Mr Young said.
A second letter from senior authority figures, which was signed by Ms Allan the next day, shared anecdotal reports of criminal elements potentially becoming involved in state construction projects.
It flagged the behaviour "has the potential to significantly impact project costs and schedule", Mr Young told the inquiry.
The commission is expected to examine the integrity of the state's $150 billion Big Build infrastructure program, which comprises more than 100 projects commonly linked to the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union's Victorian branch.
Premier Ben Carroll in July promised to set up the $50 million royal commission as his first act in government, after toppling Ms Allan, who had for months rejected widespread calls to launch a probe.
Under the inquiry's terms of reference, Commissioner Christopher Kourakis KC will investigate the extent to which corruption, criminal conduct or serious misconduct has occurred on or surrounding major public and civil infrastructure projects.
In his opening address, Mr Kourakis vowed to pursue "every person who is reasonably suspected of being complicit in the abuse of entrusted power for private gain".
"I assure the people of Victoria and warn all people who have done wrong that the commission will leave no stone unturned in search for whatever is hidden, or whomever lurks underneath it," he told the inquiry.
"Anyone who has an ambition to remain in the industry will be better served by early voluntary disclosures to the commission than by waiting to be found out."
An explosive report by corruption-busting barrister Geoffrey Watson SC titled Rotting from the Top estimated alleged corrupt conduct by the CFMEU had effectively fleeced Victorian taxpayers of $15 billion.
"The CFMEU has a track record of ostentatiously defying the law," Counsel Assisting Chris Carr SC told the packed court room.
In the five years before the CFMEU was plunged into administration in August 2024, the union and its officers incurred more than $10 million in penalties owing to 1163 breaches of industrial law, Mr Carr noted.
Mr Watson told AAP he felt relieved to finally see the accountability wheels turning.
Future hearing dates have not been outlined, but Mr Young said the commission's work would not "stop for" or "be shaped by" the state election on November 28.
A number of closed hearings, which Mr Kourakis said would have compromised the commission's ongoing investigations, have been held.
Further closed hearings will occur where necessary, Mr Kourakis said.
The royal commission's final report is due in August 2027.
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