Tuesday, 3 March 2026

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:01): My question is to the Attorney-General. The Attorney-General said in question time on 19 February in relation to allegations and evidence of criminal behaviour put to her on a Big Build site in October 2022 that ‘those matters were referred to Victoria Police’. This afternoon the Attorney admitted she misled the house. Why did it take investigations from the Australian Financial Review for the Attorney-General to admit she has misled Parliament?

Mary-Anne Thomas: On a point of order, Speaker, my understanding is that, if the member for Brighton has allegations that he wishes to make in relation to the Attorney-General, he needs to do so under a substantive motion.

James NEWBURY: On the point of order, Speaker, at no point did I say ‘deliberately’. I said that the member misled the chamber, which previous rulings have found to be in order.

The SPEAKER: Member for Brighton, I understand. The Attorney to answer the question.

 Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Attorney-General, Minister for Planning) (14:03): I am actually not quite sure what the question is in all of that, but I refer the member and the house to my clarifying statement that I made earlier in this house.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:03): Are there any other instances where the Attorney failed to refer allegations of coercion and corruption on Big Build sites to Victoria Police?

Mary-Anne Thomas: On a point of order, Speaker, the question that has been asked by the member for Brighton is a speculative question, and I therefore ask –

Members interjecting.

Mary-Anne Thomas: Well, no, you need to read the standing orders. I ask that you rule it out of order.

The SPEAKER: I will allow the question.

 Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Attorney-General, Minister for Planning) (14:04): I reject the premise of the question entirely. It presupposes that there were other allegations, and I refer the member to the statement that I made earlier today.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, to assist, this was a question where I asked whether there were other, whether there are other –

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The Attorney answered the question.