Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:31): (609) My question is for the Minister for Corrections. Minister, stories emerged in the media several weeks ago outlining how members of organised crime and bikie organisations are working as CFMEU officials on government worksites. I therefore ask: has the minister sought assurances from his department that criminal elements are not working on Victoria’s correctional facilities?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:31): I thank Mr Davis for his question and his interest in our corrections system. As minister I am proud of the investments our government has made to make sure we have a modern and effective corrections system, one that is focused on community safety but also one that is committed to giving the people in our custodial settings the best chance to turn their lives around. In terms of the way construction projects are managed from the department’s perspective, we have the Community Safety Building Authority, which manages those contracts. There is a public tender process. As minister I would never involve myself or interfere in those processes; it would be highly inappropriate. In terms of the contracts – and I am sure there are subcontractors employed as well – and the membership or otherwise of any organisation of people that work on those sites, obviously we have strong probity and procurement policies in place, but the Community Safety Building Authority is there in charge of that process to make sure that everything is aboveboard.
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:32): I take it that that means the minister has not asked for such assurances, and I therefore ask: Minister, will you pledge to the Victorian people to now proactively seek those assurances from the department or the relevant authority?
Enver ERDOGAN (Northern Metropolitan – Minister for Corrections, Minister for Youth Justice, Minister for Victim Support) (12:32): I thank Mr Davis for his supplementary question. I think it was clear last sitting week that I am not aware of any specific concerns about criminal behaviour on our prison construction projects, but of course if you have some allegations, Mr Davis, I recommend you refer them to the appropriate bodies. IBAC, the Ombudsman, Victoria Police – they are the appropriate bodies. Nothing has been brought to my attention. If they were, I would refer them to the appropriate bodies.
David Davis: On a point of order, President, it was a very specific question asking whether the minister would take a specific action. It was not about the opposition. It was about what action the minister would take: would he seek the assurances from the department or the relevant authority? He either will or he will not, but he did not answer that question at all. He talked about other matters.
The PRESIDENT: You are debating the point of order. I think the minister’s answer was that he has had assurances, that he is not aware –
Members interjecting.
The PRESIDENT: Like I have said, it is very dangerous for me to paraphrase anyone, but my understanding in real time was that the minister was saying he has had that information –
Enver ERDOGAN: I am not aware of any.
The PRESIDENT: He is not aware of any.
Members interjecting.
The PRESIDENT: The minister has got 37 seconds if he wishes to continue.
Enver ERDOGAN: Let us be very clear: there is no place for organised crime on prison construction projects. The only place for organised crime is in prison. In relation to any allegations, nothing has been put to me. I get regular briefings from the department, and if there is an allegation, if I become aware, I will refer it to the appropriate body.
David Davis: On a point of order, it is clear again that he did not actually answer the question, President. He actually did not answer. He will not seek those assurances, and I think the failure there is significant.
The PRESIDENT: I think the minister was relevant to his position on your question.
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:35): I move:
That the minister’s answer be taken into consideration on the next day of meeting.
Motion agreed to.