Tuesday, 2 June 2026

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:01): My question is to the honourable Premier. One of the Premier’s own members of Parliament has confirmed to the media:

Jacinta, Daniel … and Tim Pallas handed over a monopoly to thugs disguised as unionism, who then used that monopoly cartel power at the expense of taxpayers.

Why does the Premier deny that this has happened under her watch, when it has been called out by her own Labor members of Parliament?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (15:02): I reject the statement that has just been read out by the member for Brighton. The member for Brighton might want to trade in anonymous gossip. We trade in getting on with serious business and implementing the most wideranging reforms to IBAC since it was established in 2012. And again, for the completeness of the house, I draw the attention of the house to the fact that this is something that is not supported by the Liberal Party.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (15:02): The Labor member of Parliament also said:

This is a deflection of historic proportions … Anything short of a royal commission is not good enough.

Given that the Premier’s own members of Parliament are calling for a royal commission into corruption, why is the Premier refusing to establish one?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (15:03): This question tells Victorians everything they need to know about this Liberal outfit, which is not serious about dealing –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, this is an important matter, not time for a tricky response. This is about a serious matter, on relevance.

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

Jacinta ALLAN: This shows that the Liberal Party are not serious. To be framing questions around anonymous gossip tells Victorians everything they need to know. Questions like this are simply a cover-up for the fact that the Liberal Party do not support expanding the definition of ‘corrupt conduct’ as recommended by the committee.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, you have drawn the Premier back to the question once, and now she is defying your ruling.

The SPEAKER: The Premier responded to the question. The Premier has concluded her answer.