Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 Ann-Marie HERMANS (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (14:14): (2137) My constituency question is for the Premier. With an estimated $15 billion misappropriated from taxpayers battling rising bills, can you guarantee to my constituents that no funds were misused on Big Build projects in my region, particularly the Clyde Road upgrade, the Suburban Rail Loop Heatherton stabling yard and the Progress Street level crossing removal? Premier, you referred the CFMEU to IBAC in 2024 knowing that they could not investigate the matter and did nothing once they rejected the referral. Why? Because IBAC does not have the powers needed to investigate the money trail to private subcontractors and expose the true extent of dealings between the government, the CFMEU and the underworld. IBAC is chronically underfunded, relying upon a Treasurer’s advance to bridge its resource constraints in 2024–25. Premier, will you stand with hardworking, taxpaying Victorians to expand IBAC’s powers and launch a royal commission, or will you continue to protect pimps, gangsters and drug dealers?

The PRESIDENT: There was an original question around projects in the area you represent. That will be the question – because there were a lot of questions – that goes to the Premier.