Questions without notice and ministers statements
Member conduct
Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (11:39): My question is to the Leader of the Government. Leader, I refer to the allegations of bullying of Ms Vaghela by the Premier and the Premier’s office. What action will you take to ensure Ms Vaghela is not subject to bullying within the Labor Party or within the Parliament while the WorkSafe investigation is proceeding?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (11:40): Mr Davis, I do not accept the accuracy of the content of your question. To my knowledge there is no allegation against the Premier of bullying, and to suggest that and to try and say that does not make it true. I have reached out to Ms Vaghela to offer her assistance for this week’s Parliament. I have sent my concern, saying, ‘I hope you’re okay’. I have not heard from Ms Vaghela. The invitation remains open for me to have a discussion with her about the Parliament. Of course she should not be subjected to any adverse behaviour or bullying, and I will make sure that I am having contact with her to make sure that she feels safe in this environment. It is a very supportive environment in the Parliament, is my experience, and if she wishes to return to the Parliament I am happy to have conversations with her about that. But to make allegations as you have is an inappropriate use, using someone who, I would hazard a guess, you have not spoken to directly either.
Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (11:41): I thank the minister for her response, and I ask her a very simple question: do you believe Ms Vaghela?
Ms SYMES (Northern Victoria—Leader of the Government, Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (11:41): Whilst Mr Davis is asking for an opinion, I am concerned that his supplementary question is based on a false accusation in his substantive question. I do not accept the premise of the first question, so in relation to whether or not I have a view of what Ms Vaghela has said, what you are saying she said is not what is on record as having come out of her mouth. It is an inappropriate question for you to put to me. In relation to the complaints that Ms Vaghela has made that we know about, that are on the public record, in relation to conduct of a particular person in the Premier’s office, that was dealt with appropriately, so of course it was believed.
Mr DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan—Leader of the Opposition) (11:42): I move:
That the minister’s answer be taken into account on the next day of meeting.
Motion agreed to.