The Prime Minister has launched a Royal Commission into union governance and corruption across a range of industries, with terms of reference set to string up dodgy workplace practice nationwide.

The Commission has been seen as the result of both a pre-election commitment to clean up industries, and recent reports detailing the nefarious agreements underpinning many major contracts.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the inquiry will clear room for honest operations.

“This Royal Commission is designed to shine a great, big spotlight into the dark corners of our community to ensure that honest workers and honest businesses get a fair go,” Mr Abbott said.

“Honest workers and honest unionists should not be ripped off by corrupt officials and honest businesses should be able to go about their work without fear of intimidation, corruption [and] standover tactics.”

A number of prominent Australian workers’ unions have been specifically mentioned in the official terms of reference.

The probe will take a hard look at the Transport Workers’ Union, the Electrical Trades Union, Australian Workers Union, the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, and the Health Services Union.

The terms state that the Commission will investigate the integrity of financial management within unions, the accountability of officers, and check if any dealings were undertaken with an “unlawful purpose”.

Spectators, politicians and some union officials have warned the inquiry will be little more than a “political witchhunt”, aimed at destroying the long-running links between unions and members of the Australian Labor Party.

The inquiry is set to cost tens of millions of dollars, possibly running for several years.

Supporters say it will be worth it, detractors say it is aimed at the wrong place.

“While royal commissions are a major commitment, a lot of good can come out of such inquiries. Royal commissions have been very useful in the past in identifying problems and improper behaviour and recommending solutions,” said Innes Willox, from the Australian Industry Group.

ACTU president Dave Oliver said; “Our initial review of the terms of reference suggests they are narrowly directed at unions and will not adequately deal with corruption or unlawful behaviour by businesses or employers... This government is not genuinely interested in dealing with corruption. It is only interested in weakening unions.”