Wednesday, 17 June 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Premier. The Premier was asked three times by Sarah Ferguson on the ABC’s 7.30 last night how much crime and corruption had cost Victorian taxpayers, and three times she refused to answer. If it is not $15 billion, how much is it?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:03): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question and for the opportunity to outline to the house the strong action our government has taken, particularly in the context of the question that has been asked, and can I make it absolutely clear that any dollar that is lost to corruption is a dollar too many, which is why we took that strong action.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the question was not about any dollar, it was about how many dollars.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has only just commenced her answer. She was being relevant.

Jacinta ALLAN: As I was saying, any dollar lost is a dollar too many, which is why we took strong action, because we have zero tolerance for criminal activity on worksites. It is why we have strengthened the powers of Victoria Police and the Labour Hire Authority, and the action they are taking is working. To clean up this action, we have seen Victoria Police lay 88 charges, 150 construction industry licences have been cancelled –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is debating the question. It was a very direct question: how much?

The SPEAKER: I cannot direct the Premier how to answer the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: The action we have taken, as I said, and I repeat for the benefit of the house, is that Victoria Police have laid 88 charges and 150 construction industry licences have been cancelled. When it comes to claims about amounts, I have said on a number of occasions that if there is any evidence, if anyone is holding any evidence, they should be putting it to the relevant authority because, as I have just outlined to the house, the authorities are taking action.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, the Premier is being evasive. This is a very simple question. Just like the Premier did not answer the question three times last night, we have asked the question today and we are waiting for an answer.

Anthony Carbines: On the point of order, Speaker, I would just like to clarify if there was a point of order or what the point of order was. I point out further that in Rulings from the Chair chapter 20 makes it quite clear that points of order must not be used to deliberately disrupt the proceedings, which is what the Manager of Opposition Business is doing.

The SPEAKER: I do not uphold the point of order. The Premier has concluded her answer.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Mordialloc is warned.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:06): Is the Premier refusing to give a figure because she is disinterested in the $15 billion of corruption under her watch?

 Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:06): The answer is no. When it comes to this figure that the Leader of the Opposition is quoting, it refers to something that Geoffrey Watson said a number of months ago. More recently Geoffrey Watson has said of this figure:

This is one of the things that they keep misquoting.

So we have a situation where the person –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, I ask you to respect the fact that I am on my feet. I will not tolerate members yelling when I am on my feet, member for Rowville. The Premier, without assistance.

Jacinta ALLAN: When it comes to Geoffrey Watson’s claim, he himself has said he was misquoted.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Member for Rowville, you are warned.