Wednesday, 23 September 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Premier. $15 billion was siphoned off the Big Build while the Premier sat around the cabinet table. Will the Premier write to the royal commissioner and ask to appear as a witness prior to the 28 November election?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! Members will come to order. Member for Berwick! Members will still be removed from the chamber, even though it is the second-last question time.

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier) (14:03): The Leader of the Opposition said she would have a royal commission up by Christmas. I called for one on day one, and it is being delivered on day one, and everyone is accountable.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The member for Brighton can leave the chamber for half an hour.

Member for Brighton withdrew from chamber.

The SPEAKER: Other members will be asked to leave as well. Members, I am on my feet. Premier, I ask you to address your comments through the Chair.

Ben CARROLL: I announced the royal commission on the very first day I became Premier and, if anyone has not noticed, hearings have started today. The Leader of the Opposition promised a royal commission by Christmas. On radio last week she said she would hand down the harshest mini budget in Victoria’s history by Christmas.

Roma Britnell: On a point of order, Speaker, does ‘everyone’ include you, Premier?

The SPEAKER: Member for South-West Coast, you are warned. That is not the correct way to raise a point of order.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:05): I will take it as a no. The Premier said that integrity will no longer be optional. If integrity is no longer optional, why won’t the Premier offer to appear before the royal commission before Victorians vote?

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier) (14:06): I do not know where the Leader of the Opposition has been since I have been Premier, but the royal commission is up and running and I have also said I will appear.

Danny O’Brien: On a point of order, Speaker, on the question of relevance, the Premier has not gone to the direct question.

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: The Minister for Public Transport will come to order. The Premier has only been on his feet a short time.

Ben CARROLL: This is a royal commission that has been endorsed by every integrity expert – Transparency International – with the broadest, most robust terms of reference, up and running in record time. Unlike those opposite, who do terms of reference with every single name in them, we do independent royal commissions.

Brad Rowswell: On a point of order, Speaker, I think the Premier should know better than to debate the question. The Premier is debating the question. I would ask you to bring him to order.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has concluded his answer.