Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 Melina BATH (Eastern Victoria) (14:51): Geoffrey Watson’s Rotting from the Top report exposed a shocking truth: the hierarchy of the Victorian CFMEU did not just lose its way, it has become a corrupt organisation with gangsters, bikies and criminal networks. Under Jacinta Allan’s watch, Labor has allowed this union to turn into a ‘violent’ and ‘greedy rabble’. Warnings were ignored, corruption spread and Victorians paid the price. Corruption has helped drive $15 billion worth of project blowouts, $15 billion that should have gone to hospitals, schools and community services – all gone, lost, wasted and flowing on to bikies, organised crime and even strippers on worksites. This is a total failure of leadership. The waste should have gone to community. It should have gone to families, not criminals.

A Liberal and Nationals government will create laws that chase down every single cent. The Allan government has the hallmark of being mired in deceit. The government knew it. The Premier failed to act. The government has failed this population, this state. Victorians deserve accountability and trust. The Liberals and Nationals will restore accountability and will stand up and stamp out corruption, and we will clean up this state.