Tuesday, 30 July 2024

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Premier. When did the Premier first become aware that CFMEU officials on taxpayer-funded worksites were acting outside the law?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:02): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question. In answer to this question a couple of weeks ago, I outlined the very strong action that the government is taking to stamp out this rotten culture at its roots – strong action that I note has been followed by a number of other state jurisdictions. I was –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the question was when the Premier became aware, not what the Premier may or may not have done.

The SPEAKER: The Premier had just commenced her answer.

Jacinta ALLAN: I make this point because I want to be very clear that the Leader of the Opposition referred to allegations of criminal behaviour. In terms of addressing allegations of criminal behaviour and in terms of the actions that we have already taken as a government to refer allegations of criminal behaviour to Victoria Police, in May of last year – and I have already addressed this matter publicly, some weeks ago – a reference was made to allegations that there was the potential for criminal behaviour on some worksites. That was made to me.

Members interjecting.

Jacinta ALLAN: I said May of last year; I gave you your answer.

John Pesutto: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, my question did not refer to criminality. My question referred to CFMEU officials acting outside the law. That is not just criminal, that is civil as well.

The SPEAKER: The Premier was being relevant to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: I could not have been more relevant to the question. If the Leader of the Opposition does not want me to provide this information to the house, that is really a matter in his hands. As I was referring to, a reference was made in a meeting that I was in with the director-general of the then Major Transport Infrastructure Authority that there were references to alleged potential criminal behaviour on worksites. I asked for that matter to be immediately investigated by the agency and the department, which it was. Those allegations were referred to Victoria Police by the agency. I also, in June of last year, following the advice from those agencies, wrote to the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police referring those allegations to his attention as the appropriate independent agency to investigate allegations of this type.

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:06): The Premier has overseen cost blowouts in excess of $40 billion on government projects due to corruption, criminality and mismanagement, principally because of the toxic culture driven by the CFMEU. Will the Premier establish a royal commission to investigate the corruption, criminality and mismanagement of projects due to the CFMEU?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:06): There was a royal commission in this country, a royal commission called by the former federal Liberal government, which did not call John Setka. But do you know who did call John Setka during this time? The Liberal state government’s industrial relations minister, appointing him to the state government’s building industry consultative committee. The call was made by the Liberal Party in government to appoint John Setka to its committee.

John Pesutto: On a point of order on relevance, Speaker, can you direct the Premier back to the question?

The SPEAKER: The Premier was being relevant to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: In addressing questions of royal commissions, as I said, the former Liberal state government appointed John Setka to the building industry consultative committee, and it was this government that removed him in 2019.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has concluded her answer.