Wednesday, 18 February 2026

 Annabelle CLEELAND (Euroa) (14:29): My question is to the Premier. What action has the Premier taken since the release of the Watson report to ensure that any woman sexually assaulted on Big Build sites will be eligible for compensation?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:29): Again, anyone who has allegations of abuse, assault or harassment, all of which are crimes, should be referring those matters without hesitation to Victoria Police as the agency with the tools and the powers to investigate these very serious matters.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, maybe the Premier misheard the question. This question was about compensation and whether those victims of crime are eligible for compensation.

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

Jacinta ALLAN: Further to that, notwithstanding the impatience of the member for Brighton, in addressing the question, once those allegations have been made and have been investigated by Victoria Police, if charges are laid and charges are proven through the court processes, then people are eligible for compensation through the victims-of-crime processes that are set independently. This is a serious, serious matter. Not only is ensuring that victims of crime have access to compensation something that we take seriously, but we need to support victims of crime, not choose parliamentary forums to retraumatise and impact on victims of crime.

 Annabelle CLEELAND (Euroa) (14:31): Will the Premier guarantee that any woman sexually assaulted on Big Build sites will be eligible for compensation?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I ask members to cease the running commentary after a member has asked a question. The question is to the Premier, not to members.

Mary-Anne Thomas: On a point of order, Speaker, I ask that you rule the question out of order. It was essentially the same question that was already asked, and the Premier has comprehensively answered it.

James Newbury: On the point of order, Speaker, the first question asked whether victims will be eligible and the second asked the Premier to guarantee it.

The SPEAKER: I allow the question.

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:32): I refer the member for Euroa to my answer to her substantive question and the answers that I have also given to the members for Kew, Evelyn, Eildon and Lowan. I again reiterate that we have zero tolerance for this sort of behaviour that is being alleged, which is why we have established a pathway for workers to be supported to make these allegations to Victoria Police as the investigative body to investigate these matters and support people who are subject to this alleged behaviour.