Thursday, 4 June 2026

 Martin CAMERON (Morwell) (05:33): (1697) My adjournment matter this evening is for the Minister for the SEC, and the information I seek is: what is the government’s policy for ensuring local contractors are afforded the opportunity to bid for works on big battery builds in the Latrobe Valley? There are several big batteries in my electorate of Morwell, and we have a proud history of powering the state. The knowledge and the skillset of our local workforce are unparalleled, and our manufacturers take great pride in their work. It has come to my attention that several local businesses have been unsuccessful in securing contracts for local works under the state government or have been precluded from even tendering in the first instance.

The Latrobe Valley LGA has one of the highest rates of unemployment in regional Victoria, and thousands of job losses are on the horizon with the closure of coal-fired power stations as soon as 2028. More than ever, meaningful employment opportunities are crucial in Latrobe Valley, and this government has responsibly tried to ensure it is investing in a region that has thanklessly powered Victoria for more than a century.

If local businesses are being overlooked or precluded from tendering altogether on state government projects, then something is rotten. Worse again would be if the works are only being awarded to Melbourne contractors linked with the CFMEU, because we know already that $15 billion has been funnelled into the pockets of criminals working on the Big Build.

The DEPUTY SPEAKER: Member for Morwell, I am not sure if I heard all of the action. Was it an update on –

Martin CAMERON: Yes, an update on the government’s policy.