Wednesday, 29 July 2026

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:19): My question is to the Premier. Has the Premier issued a direction to all current and former ministers and their offices, departments and agencies to stop documents relating to corruption, misconduct and criminality on the Big Build from being shredded or destroyed?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Nationals! Member for Caulfield! Member for Warrandyte! Members are entitled to raise points of order, as you know, member for Brighton.

Anthony Carbines: On a point of order, Speaker, I know that there is a little bit of feet stamping from the member for Brighton that the royal commission is being established by this Labor government, but he is seeking an opinion and a statement rather than asking a question.

The SPEAKER: That is not a point of order.

James Newbury: Further to the point of order, Speaker –

The SPEAKER: Further to the point of order as long as it is a point of order, because that was not. On a separate point of order?

James Newbury: No, further –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Emergency Services can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Minister for Emergency Services withdrew from chamber.

James Newbury: I am simply putting that it is a question that is very simple and within the Premier’s purview about whether or not the Premier is protecting the documents in relation to criminality and corruption from being shredded.

The SPEAKER: That it is not the correct way to raise a point of order. In fact it is not a point of order.

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier, Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Medical Research) (14:21): The last time I remember a shredding machine was when Jeff Kennett was back in power, and we know who was powering it up.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Members will come to order. Member for Bulleen, welcome back. Would you like to leave again?

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, on relevance, this Premier claimed he had integrity. Why not answer the question?

The SPEAKER: Member for Brighton, that is not a point of order.

Ben CARROLL: I think we know. As I said in my previous answer, I had a meeting with the head of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and we have got on with the work. I will not accept that premise and that slur from the leader and from the opposition party.

 James NEWBURY (Brighton) (14:22): What safeguards has the Premier put in place to stop the shredding of documents –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: I ask the members of this Parliament to come to order. Member for Preston!

James NEWBURY: May I start again, Speaker?

The SPEAKER: Just continue on, thank you, member for Brighton.

James NEWBURY: What safeguards has the Premier put in place to stop the shredding of documents –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The member for Narre Warren South can leave the chamber for half an hour. The member for Cranbourne can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Members for Narre Warren South and Cranborne withdrew from chamber.

Gabrielle Williams interjected.

The SPEAKER: The Deputy Premier can leave the chamber for half an hour. You do not speak when I am on my feet. It does not matter who you are in this chamber.

Deputy Premier withdrew from chamber.

The SPEAKER: The member for Brighton has a supplementary question, and I would like him to ask it in silence.

James NEWBURY: What safeguards has the Premier put in place to stop the shredding of documents and deletion of records taking place in the offices of the Premier, former Premier or outgoing ministers as we speak?

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier, Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Medical Research) (14:24): If the member has an allegation to make, he should make it rather than slurring hardworking public servants.