Tuesday, 23 May 2023

Brighton electorate

James NEWBURY (Brighton) (12:42): (174) My question is to the Premier, and I ask: when will the state Labor government respond to allegations by neighbours of Homes Victoria’s New Street redevelopment in Brighton that workers on site have behaved inappropriately towards young women? It has been alleged that workers at the New Street redevelopment made sexual noises towards a young woman who lived in a neighbouring property while she was swimming in her pool. For background, the redevelopment towers five storeys over abutting suburban homes. Giant apartment blocks now look directly over backyards and pools. After becoming aware of the serious allegations at the site, I raised them directly with the Minister for Planning on 19 January, 124 days ago, and then the Premier on 1 March, 83 days ago, and both have refused to respond. It is deeply concerning that allegations of sexualised behaviour towards a young woman have been raised with the Premier of the state and he has ignored them. I call on the Premier to show this affected young woman, who has had the courage to speak out, the decency of at least responding.