Wednesday, 12 November 2025

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:29): (1114) My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, you initiated the Silver review to uncover waste, inefficiency and duplication in the Victorian public sector. I ask: will you confirm that some ministers are yet to be fully briefed and provided with a copy of the $2.5 million Silver review, and when will the full review be released?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:29): I thank Mr Davis for his question and his reference to the Silver review. As the house well knows, I commissioned Helen Silver to undertake a comprehensive review of the public sector, which was all about ensuring that taxpayer money is focussed exactly where we want it to be, which is on frontline services and delivering the vital services that Victorians rely on all the time. This is a broad-ranging report that covers every department in government and many entities as well. Of course every minister has been briefed personally by me – all of you can agree – and provided feedback, and we are working through finalising the response, which will be released alongside the report very soon.

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:30): I ask further: did you or your office have discussions with Gilbert + Tobin law firm – Labor Party donors who were awarded a $1.3 million contract as part of the Silver review – before the lucrative contract was awarded?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:31): Mr Davis, I think you welcomed the appointment of Helen Silver to undertake an independent review, a review that is at arm’s length from government. Therefore in relation to any of the commissioned work by Ms Silver, that is a matter for Ms Silver, not me.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, it was a simple question about whether the minister or her office spoke to that firm before the awarding of the contract, which she has not answered.

The PRESIDENT: The minister was relevant, and she actually answered the question, I believe.