Thursday, 24 September 2026

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:09): My question is to the Premier. Why did the Premier do a dodgy eleventh-hour deal with the Greens to block a previous royal commission recommendation, leaving his government and former premiers able to withhold information from the Big Build royal commission on public interest immunity grounds?

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier) (14:10): I think anyone who watched the royal commission yesterday would say Justice Kourakis has set up the strongest terms of reference. He is leaving no stone –

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! The Minister for Rural and Regional Development is warned.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, this question went straight to the Premier. On relevance, this question went straight to the dirty deal over public interest immunity.

The SPEAKER: I remind the member for Brighton that he has been here long enough now as Manager of Opposition Business to know the correct way to raise a point of order. That is not one.

Ben CARROLL: This is the toughest royal commission in Victoria’s history, and it will get on and do the job it needs to.

 Jess WILSON (Kew – Leader of the Opposition) (14:11): How can the Premier claim that this is the toughest royal commission in Victoria’s history when his government refuses to implement an integrity recommendation from a former royal commission that it has already accepted?

 Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier) (14:11): The royal commission is underway. The broadest terms of reference possible –

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is being evasive. Relevance does require the Premier to deal with the substance of the question. The Premier cannot respond generally, as previous Speakers have found. The Premier has not dealt with the substance of either the main or the following question.

Anthony Carbines: On the point of order, Speaker, points of order, according to Rulings from the Chair, must not be used to deliberately disrupt proceedings or to respond to debate. That is exactly what the member for Brighton is doing.

The SPEAKER: I do not uphold the point of order. The Premier has only been on his feet for just over 8 seconds.

Ben CARROLL: The royal commission is underway, and I noticed that Justice Kourakis was very clear: no stone unturned, and carpetbaggers will not get away with anything.