Wednesday, 29 July 2026

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:11): My question is to the Premier. The Premier was sent multiple emails by Marda Dandhi alleging coercion and intimidation on the Big Build that was costing the Aboriginal business millions of dollars and threatening its survival. Why didn’t the Premier ever respond?

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier, Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Medical Research) (14:11): I thank the member for the question. What I can be absolutely crystal clear about is that under my government we will be establishing a royal commission with a special prosecutor.

David Hodgett interjected.

The SPEAKER: Member for Croydon, you may be sitting on your own again very shortly.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance –

Members interjecting.

James Newbury: You could not be finished; that was 3 seconds.

The SPEAKER: Member for Brighton, through the Chair.

James Newbury: Through the Chair, Speaker, I appreciate that often you give a member time to elaborate –

Members interjecting.

James Newbury: Do you mind? I am being yelled at.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Laverton is warned. I cannot tell the Premier how to answer a question.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:12): Former Marda Dandhi employee Ben Nash was targeted and bullied by the CFMEU on a government rail project for wearing a company shirt. He later, tragically, took his own life. One email warned the Premier that ‘no human deserves this treatment’ and that CFMEU conduct ‘should have never cost an 18-year-old his life’. Can the Premier look Ben Nash’s family in the eye and admit he was too weak to stand up for Ben?

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier, Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Medical Research) (14:13): For what happened to Ben Nash, I really sympathise with his family. Can I also say, though, I also sympathise with the families of the members of Women in Construction, and that is why I have called a royal commission. That is why I have announced a special prosecutor to work alongside that royal commission. I am not waiting. I am getting on with the job to shine a light on this sector.