Tuesday, 3 March 2026

 Nicole WERNER (Warrandyte) (19:16): (1557) My adjournment matter is for the Attorney-General, and the action I seek is the immediate establishment of a royal commission into CFMEU corruption to investigate the worst corruption scandal in Victorian history. Here is what has happened. Following revelations that the corruption on government worksites allegedly cost taxpayers $15 billion, the Premier said she referred the issue to IBAC, the integrity watchdog, so it looked like she was taking action. But the truth is the Premier knew IBAC did not have the power to investigate this corruption. IBAC even wrote back to the Premier saying, ‘No, we can’t investigate because we do not have the powers to,’ and the Premier knew that because IBAC had been asking for these powers to actually investigate allegations of corruption since 2017. Last week in Parliament every other party voted together to grant IBAC the powers it has been asking for since 2017, but Labor voted against it. Every single party then voted for a royal commission to investigate where $15 billion of taxpayers money has gone, but Labor voted against it. Then this week in Parliament the coalition tried to give the Premier an out and introduced a bill giving IBAC the powers that it needs, because Victorians want to know and deserve to know where their $15 billion has gone, and – surprise, surprise – Labor voted that one down too.

Actions speak louder than words. This begs the question: why is the Allan Labor government so afraid of this corruption scandal being investigated? Why are they so desperate to cover it up, and what is it that they have to hide? The Premier and her government have time and time again opposed a royal commission into the $15 billion spent on corruption under her watch, all while those involved in the corruption are also the Labor Party’s biggest donors. Recent political donation figures have shown how Victorian Labor have taken $1.5 million from some of those wrapped up in this corruption scandal. Talk about jobs for mates – they gave big and they got all the contracts, all while criminals in their ranks happily had $15 billion poured into their hands while the Allan Labor government looked the other way. The Premier was the infrastructure minister overseeing the Big Build when Labor was happily accepting donations from these companies now charged with fraud, from firms employing thugs and from businesses linked to gangland figures like Mick Gatto. There are endless examples like this. That is why we need a comprehensive plan to enforce the law, find the money and stop the rot, and that is why we need a royal commission.