Major Australian road project referred for investigation over motorcycle gang infiltration fears

　　CANBERRA, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- The Premier of the state of South Australia on Monday said he has asked the state's anti-corruption watchdog to investigate allegations that a major road project has been infiltrated by outlaw motorcycle gangs.

　　Peter Malinauskas said in a statement that he wrote to Emma Townsend, head of the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC), asking the agency to examine the integrity of the flagship Torrens to Darlington road project.

　　The project aims to build two tunnels at a cost of 15.4 billion Australian dollars (10.8 billion U.S. dollars) to create a non-stop highway between Adelaide's northern and southern suburbs. It is the largest infrastructure project in state history.

　　The referral to ICAC comes after a member of the Comanchero outlaw motorcycle gang was sued in the Supreme Court over allegations that he used threats of violence to acquire two people's shares in a labor recruitment company for the construction project.

　　Malinauskas said on Monday that he has seen no evidence that organized crime gained access to the project, but that an ICAC investigation would examine safeguards against improper influence and infiltration by organized crime.

　　"Given the scale and importance of this project, we have a responsibility to make sure the right safeguards are in place and working as they should," he said.

　　"It would provide me as Premier and taxpayers with additional assurance that public funds are safeguarded, and the highest standards of integrity are being maintained."

　　Main construction work on the project began in 2025, and it is expected to be open to traffic in 2031. ■