Tuesday, 16 June 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:12): My question is to the Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC. The minister said that $138 of chocolates on a government credit card did not pass the pub test, but what standard is the minister applying when $15 billion has been siphoned off the Big Build by criminals and bikies yet WorkSafe cannot point to a single current prosecution involving violence on these projects?

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Medical Research) (14:12): I think the opposition leader should update her talking points because we all know Mr Watson has been on the radio recently and has clarified that that figure itself is in dispute. Having said that, to the opposition leader’s question, I made it very clear with a question the other day that the public servants that did spend that money needed to repay it and it did not pass the pub test.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:13): Isn’t it the case that, under the minister’s watch, bikies and criminals on the Big Build have crossed the line but WorkSafe has not secured a single conviction relating to that violence?

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Medical Research) (14:14): I remind the Leader of the Opposition that WorkSafe is an independent authority under the Occupational Health and Safety Act and actually always has been an independent authority. I will leave them to do their job and get on with what they need to do.

Matthew Guy interjected.

The SPEAKER: Member for Bulleen, this is your last warning.