Thursday, 5 March 2026

 Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:18): My question is to the Premier. Since the Premier took office, two more Gatto-linked business, including M1 Traffic Control Greater Bendigo, have been added to the government’s list of accredited traffic management companies. Why should motorists on the McIvor Highway, the Midland Highway or the Calder Highway be directed by underworld-linked traffic control because their local member is disinterested in corruption on government construction sites?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:18): I was just reflecting. The National Party used to be a party of substance. They used to be the voice of country Victoria. They used to represent country workers and farmers, and this is what they have been reduced to.

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

The SPEAKER: The Premier will come back to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: I will. I will remind the leader of the once glorious National Party that the Labour Hire Authority has the powers it needs and has the tools it needs to take strong action, and it is strong action that it is taking. I remind the Leader of the National Party and the Liberal–National opposition that they opposed the creation of the Labour Hire Authority, who are now taking this strong action, who are cancelling 147 construction licences and who have blocked a further 47. We will continue to be focused on taking strong action. I will also say this to the Leader of the National Party: he mentioned workers, and I want to thank those workers on worksites across Victoria – worksites that deserve the best conditions and worksites that deserve the best representation, which is why we are determined to take this strong action. There is no place for allegations of criminal behaviour –

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, once again on the question of relevance, I did not ask about workers, I asked about motorists. For the benefit of the Premier, it is not the Labour Hire Authority that accredits traffic management companies.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Pascoe Vale can leave the chamber for an hour.

Member for Pascoe Vale withdrew from chamber.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Nationals, a point of order is not an opportunity to make a statement to the house. The Premier was answering the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: I want to finish by acknowledging the workers who go to work every day. We will back their right to have a safe workplace, to get paid well and to go home safely to their families. We know that the Liberal–National parties want to undermine this every step of the way. Well, we reject that.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, sledging is not relevant.

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order. The Premier has concluded her answer.

 Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:21): There are now six M Group companies accredited for traffic management. Why has the Premier failed to act since the release of the Watson report to remove M Group companies as accredited traffic management companies?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:22): I again remind the member for Gippsland South that the Labour Hire Authority –

Danny O’Brien interjected.

Jacinta ALLAN: My apologies. I dutifully doff my hat to the Leader of the National Party. I dutifully doff my hat to the leader of the once glorious National Party. The Labour Hire Authority, which was established by our government and opposed by those opposite, has the powers it needs to deal with construction licences and deal with the cancellation of licences, which is exactly what it is doing through the –

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, on the requirement for the Premier to be factual, it is actually the department of transport that accredits traffic management companies, not the Labour Hire Authority.

The SPEAKER: It is a requirement of all members to be factual.

Jacinta ALLAN: Again, I know the Leader of the National Party – I will get his title right – is a bit sensitive about opposing the Labour Hire Authority. It has powers, and it is taking action.