Thursday, 24 February 2022

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Construction industry

Mr GUY (Bulleen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:01): My question is to the Assistant Treasurer. Noting Probuild’s parent company has directly cited the lack of policy consistency—directly citing lockdowns and internal border closures—as a key reason why thousands of jobs are now threatened by their withdrawal from Australia, I ask: what is the government doing to ensure that more companies, particularly in our construction sector, will not shut up shop, risking thousands of jobs because of two years of crippling state government COVID restrictions?

Mr PEARSON (Essendon—Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Regulatory Reform, Minister for Government Services, Minister for Creative Industries) (14:02): On this side of the house we are saddened by this news today in relation to Probuild’s parent company, Johannesburg-listed Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon, placing that company in administration. I do note the comments that the parent company made and that I think related to Australia right across the board, not specifically Victoria. As a government we are monitoring the situation. We are working with the company to protect jobs and their workers. It is our expectation that the company will honour all legal obligations to workers and subcontractors.

I think the important thing to note here is that this government has got a record construction agenda happening right here and right now, and it did not just start yesterday. It started when we were elected in 2014 after four years of lethargy from those opposite. As a government we have invested heavily in the construction sector, building the things that people are looking for.

Mr Guy: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, I note the minister is talking about publicly funded infrastructure. I asked a question about private sector jobs, and I ask you to bring him back to answering that question.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members on my right will come to order. The minister is being relevant to the question that was put to him.

Mr PEARSON: Thank you, Speaker. I would have thought the workers were just happy to have a job. I would have thought if you were a worker, you would just want to get employed regardless of if it was a private project or a public project. I mean, it is just a ludicrous statement from the Leader of the Opposition.

The reality is the construction sector in Melbourne is booming. The CommSec State of the States report last month showed construction work in Victoria was 21.9 per cent above its decade average. It was ahead of Tasmania, which was up by 21.6 per cent; South Australia, up by 21.3 per cent; and New South Wales, up by 1.1 per cent—1.1. per cent. We have got a very proud track record of getting on with the job of building this state with our Big Build, be it the Metro Tunnel, be it our Level Crossing Removal Project or be it schools and hospitals and police stations right across this state. Look, this is a sad day for the workers involved, but I would hope that the company will honour all its legal obligations.

Mr GUY (Bulleen—Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): Given the reported precarious nature of a number of major construction firms in Victoria at the moment, arising from two years of crippling COVID restrictions, can the minister—

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Leader of the House! When the house comes to order. In particular I ask for the assistance of those at the table.

Mr GUY: Given the precarious nature of major construction firms in Victoria at the moment arising from two years of crippling COVID restrictions, can the Assistant Treasurer advise why the government is increasing taxes on the development and construction industries at a time when they are so clearly struggling?

Mr PEARSON (Essendon—Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Regulatory Reform, Minister for Government Services, Minister for Creative Industries) (14:05): I think the only thing that is precarious in this state is your leadership, mate. You are struggling, absolutely struggling.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Assistant Treasurer! When the house comes to order. Just before calling the Manager of Opposition Business, I warn members: the rowdy nature of question time means that members will be removed from the chamber without further warning.

Ms Staley: On a point of order, Speaker, question time is not an opportunity to attack the opposition, and that is what the minister was doing. Could you ask him to come back to answering the question?

The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. The minister to come back to answering the question. The minister has concluded his answer.