Wednesday, 18 March 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:10): My question is to the Premier. Last year it was revealed that MC Labour was ripping off taxpayers with ghost shifts on taxpayer-funded projects. This rorting labour hire firm linked to bikie Toby Mitchell still has an active labour hire licence. Why?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:10): As a result of the strong action we have taken, we gave –

Members interjecting.

Jacinta ALLAN: This is an important point. We gave the Labour Hire Authority additional powers ‍– powers that were opposed by those opposite. But let us not worry about that level of fact or detail. The Labour Hire Authority have the powers they need to stamp out criminal activity on worksites, and if the Leader of the Opposition or anyone has information that should be referred to them, that should be done immediately.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:11): Premier, how much taxpayer money has been rorted by MC Labour on the Big Build?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:11): Again, allegations of criminal behaviour on worksites are a serious matter, and allegations that may have evidence attached to them should be put to the relevant investigative authority because, as we have seen through the work of Victoria Police or the work of the Labour Hire Authority, they have the tools and the powers that they need to crack down on this illegal behaviour. So if the Leader of the Opposition or anyone has evidence of claims, they should be putting it immediately to Victoria Police, who have the power to act.