Member conduct
John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:25): My question is to the Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC. How is it fair that injured workers face the risk of having their benefits cut because the minister has spent more time focusing on creating private wealth for his family than addressing the crisis in WorkCover?
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: The member for Bentleigh is warned!
Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (14:26): It was a great privilege to be appointed Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC back in December of last year, and I recognise the fact that we have had claims costs increase threefold since 2010 and that if you look at the premium charged it is less than what was paid 20 years ago. On this side of the house we recognise that one of the key drivers for this is in relation to the rise in mental health injuries, and on this side of the house we have been very clear on this. We supported the establishment of Australia’s first royal commission into mental health, we have supported each and every single recommendation and we will be implementing each and every single one. Those opposite have not been the same. They have had no interest in it. We are not going to take lectures from those opposite when those opposite abolished common-law rights for seriously injured workers. That is their form, and if they had had their chance last time they would have flogged off WorkSafe to their mates. The reality is that we recognise there are challenges that this scheme is facing, challenges that WorkSafes are facing right across the country, and we are committed to making sure that we get the balance right.
Jacinta Allan interjected.
The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier will come to order.
John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:27): Over the past fortnight the minister has been exposed for holding Commonwealth Bank shares whilst overseeing a new government banking contract awarded to the Commonwealth Bank; for being a member of cabinet when government decisions were made that benefited CSL, Beach Energy, Computershare, Bega Cheese and Telstra, all whilst an active shareholder in each company; for holding Commonwealth Bank shares whilst authorising three new government bank accounts with the Commonwealth Bank; and for overseeing a crisis in WorkSafe that will now see workers lose benefits and employers pay more premiums. Minister, will you finally show some integrity?
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Sunbury can leave the chamber for 1 hour. Order! You will all be ejected if you speak or move or so much as twitch while I am on my feet.
Member for Sunbury withdrew from chamber.
John PESUTTO: He has been exposed for overseeing a crisis in WorkSafe that will now see workers lose benefits and businesses face large premium increases. Minister, will you finally show Victorians that integrity matters, do the right thing and resign?
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: The member for Frankston can leave the chamber for 1 hour. The member for Tarneit can leave the chamber for 1 hour, quietly. I want to hear the minister’s response to the question.
Members for Frankston and Tarneit withdrew from chamber.
Danny PEARSON (Essendon – Minister for Government Services, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Consumer Affairs) (14:30): Well, maybe you could have been taken a bit more seriously if you put your back into it, mate. No-one is taking you seriously. Your backbenchers are not taking you seriously, I am not taking you seriously –
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER: Order! The minister knows to speak through the Chair.
Danny PEARSON: I reject the premise of the member’s question. I have always acted appropriately, and I absolutely love being the minister for workplace safety in the great state of Victoria.