Construction industry
Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:05): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations, and it concerns the shocking allegations in the Age today that a military veteran helping ex-soldiers to get jobs on the North East Link was forced to pay a gangland-linked figure in order to gain access through the government’s social procurement program. Given the government’s response to date has failed, will the government take further action to stamp out this sickening fleecing of taxpayers money and gangland involvement on Victorian construction sites?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:06): I thank Mr Mulholland for his question. At the outset, we have zero tolerance for any corruption, any illegal activities and indeed any threatening behaviour on our worksites or any worksite for that matter. Mr Mulholland, you might not be familiar with this, because you have had some time away from the chamber, but in your absence we have passed legislation to implement some of the Wilson recommendations. So we are getting on with eradicating this type of behaviour. We are setting up an easy way for people to come forward, and anybody that wants to come forward I commend. This is the behaviour that you want to stamp out. You want people to come forward, whether it is through the media or whether it is through the opportunity that we have created through the WIV to provide a safe place for people to come forward. They can do it anonymously and it can be directed to the right authorities, and in many instances that will be Victoria Police.
Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:07): Minister, do you accept that extortion, fleecing of taxpayers money and gangland involvement are still occurring on the government’s Big Build?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:07): Mr Mulholland, you or anybody who has information or allegations that they wish to make should make them either through the WIV or to the appropriate authorities. In relation to the way you characterised that, much of that would be illegal behaviour, and therefore police would be the appropriate body.