Tuesday, 3 March 2026

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:06): My question is to the Attorney-General. The Attorney said in question time on 19 February that:

… anyone that has allegations of any criminal or illegal conduct on construction sites needs to refer those to the relevant authorities.

The Attorney was included in emails where an Indigenous labour hire firm alleged illegal activity on the Big Build, including union coercion abetted by the Labor government, on 28 October 2022, 1 December 2022 and 29 December 2022. Did the Attorney refer any of these allegations to an appropriate authority or Victoria Police?

Danny Pearson: On a point of order, Speaker, the member for Brighton is asking the Attorney-General a question, and in doing so the member for Brighton is quoting emails that predate the Attorney being appointed to the cabinet. I ask that you rule the question out of order. It has nothing to do with the member’s responsibility as the Attorney-General, and I ask that you rule it out of order.

James NEWBURY: On the point of order, Speaker, the minister raised this identical point of order last week when a question was put to the Attorney of a similar nature. At that time you ruled that out of order and allowed the Attorney the opportunity to respond. On multiple occasions the Attorney has responded, and my question goes to directly how the Attorney has responded to these issues.

The SPEAKER: I will allow the question because the Attorney has the right to respond in any way she chooses.

 Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Attorney-General, Minister for Planning) (14:09): I have already answered this question previously, and I will note that the member raises matters that predate my appointment in my ministerial responsibility.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:09): Exactly how many emails and letters containing allegations of illegal coercion and militant behaviour on Big Build sites has the Attorney-General not acted upon?

 Sonya KILKENNY (Carrum – Attorney-General, Minister for Planning) (14:09): The member for Brighton does not have his listening ears on here. As I just responded to the original question, the matters he refers to predate my appointment to my ministerial responsibility and –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, to assist, the question went to any point in time, including the time the member has been the Attorney-General.

The SPEAKER: The Attorney has responded to the question.