Thursday, 5 March 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Premier: why did it take questions in Parliament for the government to cobble together a statement on M1 Trades & Labour when it has been known since mid-2024 it is linked with underworld figure Mick Gatto?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Clearly members are not keen on staying in question time today. There will not be any warnings. Members will be removed.

Danny Pearson: On a point of order, Speaker, was the Leader of the Opposition this concerned about organised crime when the member for Bulleen was dining and having lobster with a mobster?

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, I am concerned about the member for Essendon’s behaviour in this chamber today.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:04): I am very pleased to answer this question from the Leader of the Opposition and to answer it first and foremost by saying: it did not. The proposition she put in her question is wrong. It is false. It is incorrect. I am delighted to provide the Leader of the Opposition with the facts, and the facts are these: the Labour Hire Authority has the powers it needs to take strong action, and it is taking that action, as evidenced by the fact that it has issued a notice of intention to cancel the labour hire licence of M1 Trades & Labour as a result of an extensive investigation that has taken many months. So the assertion that the Leader of the Opposition has put in her question is wrong. This is further evidence that in having zero tolerance for alleged criminal behaviour we have taken strong action and it is working. There was action being taken by the police as recently as yesterday.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will come to order. The member for Polwarth is warned, the member for Rowville is warned, the member for Mordialloc is warned, the member for Frankston is warned and the member for Eureka is warned. From now, members will be removed without warning.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is required to be factual, and yesterday she said she did not know anything about these allegations.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order.

Jacinta ALLAN: Again, I remind the Leader of the Opposition that the claim she has put is wrong and is incorrect and that the Labour Hire Authority is doing its work. Not only has it issued that notice to cancel the licence of this organisation, it has also cancelled a further 147 licences and blocked another 47. Victoria Police are making arrests and charges, including as recently as yesterday. There is strong action now to stamp out this criminal behaviour on worksites. Action is being taken now, and it is working.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:06): Can the Premier guarantee that there are no other underworld-linked businesses that still hold a labour hire licence in Victoria?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:07): I again remind the Leader of the Opposition that if she has an allegation to make the Labour Hire Authority –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Tarneit can leave the chamber for an hour and a half.

Member for Tarneit withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question. The question was quite specific, and the Premier is clearly debating it.

Mary-Anne Thomas: On the point of order, Speaker, the Premier has been on her feet for 9 ‍seconds. The Manager of Opposition Business is quick to jump up and claim frivolous points of order from our side of the house. I suggest that he have a look at the questions he is asking.

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

Jacinta ALLAN: The Labour Hire Authority have the powers they need to take the strong action necessary, as evidenced by the fact that they have already cancelled 147 construction industry licences. They have blocked a further 47. They issued a notice to cancel another organisation’s licence just yesterday. If the Leader of the Opposition is fair dinkum about taking real action, any allegation she has to make should be made immediately to the relevant independent authorities who have the power to act.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier continues to debate the question and is being evasive.

The SPEAKER: I cannot tell the Premier how to answer the question. The Premier has concluded her answer.