Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (13:39): (1217) My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, do you accept the estimates by Geoffrey Watson SC that 15 per cent of payments on Big Build sites are corrupt payments? And if not, what number do you accept?

The PRESIDENT: Treasurer, you can answer one question.

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (13:40): Mr Davis’s question is very similar to the one that Mrs McArthur asked in relation to the $15 billion claim. As I have indicated in my answer, it is the author who has also indicated that the estimate is, I think he used the term –

Harriet Shing interjected.

Jaclyn SYMES: ‘rough and crude’. Thank you, Minister Shing. You have also got the comments that I gave to you in relation to cost escalation within the construction industry, driven by labour shortages and wage costs and raw materials. We have got economists on the record that have confirmed that, Mr Davis, so I stand by my answer to Mrs McArthur –

David Davis: On a point of order, President, it was a very specific question about what alternate estimate she accepts.

The PRESIDENT: You asked two questions, and the Treasurer answered your first question.

Jaclyn SYMES: In relation to the $15 billion, Mr Davis, again, the administrator, who is the person who has the broad-ranging view of what has been going on in the CFMEU, is acting on that. I would point out that there is not one bad actor named in the Watson report that is actually still at the CFMEU, and some of those people have been prosecuted. I support the work of the federally appointed administrator, and as I have indicated, he is not remotely satisfied with the claim. He says they are not well founded or properly tested, and I will take the word of the administrator.

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (13:42): The Treasurer is desperate not to say another figure. She does not want to accept 15 per cent, and I say: Treasurer, 15 per cent of Big Build site costs is a huge impost on the state budget. Will the government take action to recover this $15 billion that is currently lining the pockets of bikie gangs and criminals?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (13:42): Mr Davis, again – and my comments to Mrs McArthur stand – conflating the fair wages and conditions of hardworking construction workers with the behaviour of –

David Davis interjected.

The PRESIDENT: Mr Davis, that is really loud. You asked a question, and I would have thought you might want to hear the answer.

Jaclyn SYMES: Again, conflating wages and conditions with criminality and putting it in the one bucket in the claim that you have made is very disrespectful to those hardworking men and women who get out of bed every day to ensure that the infrastructure projects of Victoria can be delivered.

In relation to criminality, there is zero tolerance for inappropriate behaviour, and that is why, with the full support of Victoria Police and Operation Hawk, there have been around 69 charges, and more than a dozen arrests have been made in relation to that. We very, very much support the work of Victoria Police to stamp out and jump on this behaviour, and as we have seen from the Watson – (Time expired)

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (13:43): It is clear that the minister wants to walk on past all of this. I move:

That the minister’s answer be taken into account on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.