Wednesday, 18 February 2026

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Construction industry

Jess WILSON, Jacinta ALLAN
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Questions without notice and ministers statements

Construction industry

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:03): My question is to the Premier. What action has the Premier taken since the release of the Watson report to ensure that no sexual exploitation is taking place on Victorian government worksites?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:03): As I have said on previous occasions, I have zero tolerance for these allegations of this behaviour on any worksite, and if anyone has any allegation to be made, it should be immediately referred to Victoria Police or the relevant agency for immediate investigation.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the Premier is not dealing with the very, very specific question. It was a very specific question, and the Premier is being evasive in her response.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has concluded her answer.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): Will the Premier guarantee that sexual exploitation is no longer occurring on Victorian government worksites?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:04): Exploitation of any worker on any worksite is not only not to be tolerated; it is illegal behaviour. It is illegal behaviour that none of us should be tolerating, and if anyone has any allegation to make, they should be referring it immediately to Victoria Police. That is the action that should and must be taken.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, these allegations were made to the Premier, and we are asking –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Premier.

Jacinta ALLAN: Further to that, to ensure that workers are protected to be able to make allegations or to be able to lodge complaints should they be experiencing or witnessing this sort of behaviour on worksites, I have established a construction complaints mechanism that gives workers the protection to be able to make these complaints and to ensure that they are investigated, which would be my expectation – that everyone, anyone, who has allegations to make should be immediately referring them to Victoria Police.

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