Wednesday, 3 December 2025

 Bridget VALLENCE (Evelyn) (14:11): My question is to the Premier. The Ombudsman’s report exposed a damning workplace culture at the Labor government’s insurer. Staff said of affected home owners ‘I hate them all’ and ‘stupid effen query’ and bragged about putting an ‘expletive-C owner … in her place’. Will the Premier now also apologise to Victorians for the use of this appalling language?

Interjections from gallery.

The SPEAKER: Order! The house will pause while the gallery is cleared.

Public gallery cleared.

Sitting suspended 2:12 pm until 3:27 pm.

Bridget VALLENCE: My question is to the Premier. The Ombudsman’s report exposed a damning workplace culture at the Labor government’s insurer. Staff said of affected home owners ‘I hate them all’, ‘stupid effen query’ –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Tarneit can leave the chamber for an hour.

Member for Tarneit withdrew from chamber.

Bridget VALLENCE: Staff said of affected home owners ‘I hate them all’ and ‘stupid effen query’ and bragged about putting a ‘C-expletive owner … in her place’. Will the Premier now also apologise to Victorians for the use of this appalling language?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (15:28): As I said in my answer to the question earlier on this matter, this language is entirely inappropriate. I note that the VMIA has apologised. The Minister for Finance has also apologised, and indeed I do as well. No-one should be subject to that sort of language, particularly for those former Porter Davis clients who were experiencing extreme distress and pressure as a result of the highly inappropriate behaviour from Porter Davis.

 Bridget VALLENCE (Evelyn) (15:29): Given this culture of contempt for Victorians, are the staff behind these comments still employed at the Labor government’s insurer?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (15:29): As I referred to earlier, that organisation has now been disbanded and the responsibilities for these matters sit with the Building and Plumbing Commission, which is being led by Anna Cronin. Having met with Anna, the commissioner, I know her commitment –

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question. It was very narrow about these particular staff who made these disgraceful comments. Are they still employed at the insurer?

The SPEAKER: The Premier was being relevant and was not debating the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: I think those of us who know and work with Anna Cronin know that she expects the highest of standards from those in the workplaces that she works with. As to the nature of the employment of those individuals, I would have to refer this to Commissioner Cronin for further advice, because this behaviour is not acceptable. Apologies have been issued, and I know Anna’s commitment to driving a better culture in this workplace but also better service delivery for consumers who have been affected by these matters.