Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:01): My question is to the Premier. What action did the Premier take after IBAC told her it did not have the powers to investigate the corruption on taxpayer-funded construction sites?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:01): The Leader of the Opposition refers to the actions I took in July of 2024, which included a referral to IBAC, a referral to Victoria Police as the independent investigative body with the tools and powers to investigate these matters and also a referral to the Fair Work Commission to review all enterprise bargaining agreements struck in the construction industry as the appropriate body that certifies and is part of the approval process for those enterprise bargaining agreements. I respect the independence of those agencies, and I will not, as invited by the Leader of the Opposition, undermine the independence of those investigative organisations.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): Why did the Premier fail to give IBAC the ‘follow the money’ powers it asked for when she was informed it was unable to investigate the corruption allegations contained in the letter?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:03): In terms of the investigative body with the powers to investigate alleged criminal behaviour, we have strengthened the powers of that investigative body, being Victoria Police, to be able to investigate organised crime and to be able to follow allegations referred to.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question and being evasive in terms of not dealing with the actual substance of the question. That was not the substance of the question. It was a very specific question.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has only been on her feet for a short time. Premier, come back to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: As I was saying, I was asked what action was taken, and I am referring the Leader of the Opposition directly to that response. We continue to respect the independence of these investigative bodies, and I repeat the call of the administrator –

Jess Wilson: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, it was a very specific question about ‘follow the money’ powers.

The SPEAKER: I cannot tell the Premier how to answer the question. She was being relevant to both the substantive question and the supplementary.

Jacinta ALLAN: Consistent with the approach my government has taken, we have zero tolerance for these allegations and, consistent with that approach, we are taking action now, which is why we are referring them to Victoria Police. I acknowledge that Victoria Police, through Taskforce Hawk, have made arrests, have charged individuals and have the additional powers that they need to continue this important work. I repeat: anyone with allegations should be referring them.