Thursday, 19 March 2026

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Construction industry

Jess WILSON, Ben CARROLL
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Questions without notice and ministers statements

Construction industry

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC. The Premier has said workers on Big Build worksites with Gatto-linked companies deserve to have safe and secure workplaces. Does the minister support a royal commission into corruption on the Big Build to keep workers safe and secure?

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:03): I would have thought the opposition leader would have heard me on Jacqui Felgate the other day, because I said, very clearly, a royal commission will take twice as long – you are meant to be the party of financial responsibility – and cost twice as much. What I will say on the WorkCover portfolio, though, is that nothing makes us prouder on this side of the chamber than getting up every day and fighting for and securing workers rights. The party of family values loves nothing more than breaking workers rights and sacking workers.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I remind members – member for Bulleen – that interjecting across the chamber is disorderly.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:04): As the minister for WorkSafe, why won’t you support a royal commission to ensure the future safety of workers on Big Build sites?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I remind members again that interjecting across the chamber is disorderly, and it will be treated as such.

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:05): Under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004, WorkSafe not only are an independent regulator but also are out there every day making sure that every mum and dad comes home safely from their workplace. I will repeat what I said in my substantive answer. A royal commission will take twice as long and cost twice as much. On this side of the chamber we are making sure Victoria Police have the powers. We are making sure that the Labour Hire Authority has the powers. It is why we have seen the cancellation of construction licences. It is why we have seen prosecutions. A Labor government will always put workers first.

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