Questions without notice and ministers statements
Construction industry
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:01): My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, Transparency International says the cost of corruption is often in the range of 3 to 8 per cent of government spending, and I note the reports, the frightening reports, in Nine media yesterday and today showing the massive presence of corruption in the government’s Big Build program. Minister, I note that if Transparency International is correct, corruption could be costing taxpayers many billions, perhaps $8 billion or more, and I therefore ask: what action, Treasurer, if any, have you taken to stop the waste, the bleeding, the outright losses from Labor’s Big Build projects, given Victoria’s dire financial position?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:01): Mr Davis, in a similar theme to yesterday, I reiterate that there is zero tolerance for inappropriate behaviour on worksites in the state of Victoria, whether that be corrupt conduct or criminal conduct. Indeed, to the issues that you have raised, we have acted. We appointed Greg Wilson to undertake a review and provide recommendations to government, and we are well underway in implementing those recommendations. There was $6 million in this year’s budget to implement the recommendations. The WIV will be an entry point for people to be able to raise concerns of any nature, which will then be appropriately directed, whether it be to police or IBAC and the like if those are the types of thresholds that are met in relation to the incoming information. This will be an opportunity for anyone, even if they have an inkling, a suspicion or an actual allegation. It will be a good opportunity to make sure that we are continuing our efforts to stamp out any type of behaviour that meets the definition or description of what you outlined in your question.
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:03): I ask consequently: have you been briefed on the cost of corruption on Big Build projects, and if so, when, and what are the estimated costs?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:03): Mr Davis, again, there is zero tolerance for corruption in the public sector, whether it is a matter that has been referred to IBAC or a matter that may have been brought to your attention. I would encourage anybody who has information to raise it with the appropriate authorities, and if any matter is brought to my attention, it is indeed my role to refer it to appropriate bodies.
David Davis: On a point of order, President, I fear that we are going to go around the block and not hear a simple answer. Have you been briefed or not?
The PRESIDENT: I think the Treasurer was getting to the answer in regard to anything that has been brought to her attention.
Jaclyn SYMES: Mr Davis, as I was explaining, if any instances of corruption are brought to my attention, then I will refer them to the appropriate authorities.
David Davis: On a point of order, President, it was a very simple question about whether the minister has been briefed or not. It is not about what others are doing, it is whether she has been briefed or not as Treasurer about the cost of corruption. She either has or she has not, and she can say yes or no or ‘I can’t remember.’ She could say that.
The PRESIDENT: You do not need to labour the point. I will take your point of order into consideration at the end of question time.