Thursday, 19 February 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:34): My question is to the Premier. The Premier knew the CFMEU was a repeat criminal offender, appointed it as the preferred government union, knew corruption and thuggery was occurring, knew underworld figures had turned Big Build sites into a criminal syndicate and knew IBAC could not investigate her referral. Is the reason the Premier will not call a royal commission because she knew exactly what was happening on Big Build sites?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:34): The answer is no.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:35): The Premier is presiding over a rotten government with a rotten culture –

Members interjecting.

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

Member for Footscray withdrew from chamber.

Jess WILSON: I will start again. The Premier is presiding over a rotten government with a rotten culture, and the Premier has confirmed that she will do nothing.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I would like to hear the question being asked by the Leader of the Opposition. Members will come to order.

Paul Edbrooke interjected.

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

Member for Frankston withdrew from chamber.

Jess WILSON: The Premier is presiding over a rotten government with a rotten culture –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Wendouree can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Wendouree withdrew from chamber.

Jess WILSON: I will start again. The Premier is presiding over a rotten government with a rotten culture, and the Premier has confirmed that she will do nothing. Why does the Premier continue to cover up corruption?

Mary-Anne Thomas: On a point of order on 57(1)(a), Speaker, I ask that you rule the question out of order.

James Newbury: On the point of order, Speaker, to assist the chamber, the Premier is indicating to us that she wants to answer the question.

The SPEAKER: I call the Premier.

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:36): I reject what the Leader of the Opposition has said about my government. I will say this to the Leader of the Opposition about what my government is focused on. We are focused on delivering free public transport to all kids under the age of 18, everywhere, every day of the week. We are focused on delivering the new violence reduction unit, a new solution to supporting young people getting away from a life of crime. We also have, through the member for Mordialloc as the Parliamentary Secretary for Men’s Behaviour Change –

Danny O’Brien: A point of order on the question of relevance, Speaker.

The SPEAKER: The Premier addressed the question at the commencement of her answer.

Jacinta ALLAN: Those opposite do not want to hear about how we are focused on Victorians and focused on delivering the new solutions that Victorians need right now. Free virtual emergency department care, care at the chemist and school breakfasts are just some of the many things that my government is focused on and will continue to be focused on every day.