Questions without notice and ministers statements
Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:00): (661) My question is to the Attorney-General. Attorney, the interim report by the Premier’s hand-picked adviser, Greg Wilson, found that Victorian integrity agencies:
… cannot investigate the sub-contractual arrangements in place between private sector providers on major government construction and infrastructure projects.
Attorney, were you aware that Victorian integrity agencies cannot investigate corruption on Labor’s CFMEU-controlled worksites?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:00): I thank Ms Crozier for her question. You have answered your question in the way you have asked it. There are things within the remit of IBAC and the Ombudsman that they are responsible for investigating, and there are things that are not. In relation to Mr Wilson’s final report or any conversations with integrity bodies over their jurisdiction, there are conversations that are always ongoing.
Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:01): Attorney, given that you were aware, why has the government failed to act upon the systemic corruption that has gone on for years?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Attorney-General, Minister for Emergency Services) (12:01): I thank Ms Crozier for her question. Again, the answer is in the question that you asked, because you just outlined the report and the work that the government has undertaken in response to allegations. I think you are also aware that the Premier is on the public record as having referred matters to police when they involve criminal allegations, and I would absolutely urge anybody with information to report it to the appropriate authorities.