Tuesday, 17 February 2026

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (18:01): (2314) My adjournment matter is for the attention of the Premier. The Premier has been under enormous pressure over the last few days because I think every Victorian can see that she is not telling the truth. In fact she is covering up and she is really not being up-front with the Victorian public around this appalling $15 billion CFMEU scandal. Today when she was asked whether it should be investigated, she refused to say, ‘Yes, it should.’ It is amazing and quite appalling that the Premier of this state does not seem to think that this is wrong. It is so wrong on so many levels.

Given her very strong ties to the Socialist Left, she has got form in this, along with her predecessor Daniel Andrews. They set the CFMEU up to be the power play. It is all about power and politics and to dominate and to really look at how they have got the members in this place like they have. I think anyone in the Labor Party movement knows this, and it is becoming very clear to the Victorian public what has gone on here. Nevertheless, I am concerned about the $15 billion CFMEU scandal because corruption matters. It matters because it costs Victorians. It is lining the pockets of bikies and criminals and therefore that money is lost to essential services like health, education, our police or fixing roads.

Because it matters, I want to raise the next issue. The Australian has exposed allegations of toxic interference by the Minister for Local Government and member for Bentleigh over a $75,000 grant to the Druze community. The bullyboy tactics are straight out of the CFMEU playbook. An article from 4 February states:

Kingston councillor and Victorian ALP member Hadi Saab is the director of the Druze group and the $75,000 grant to bankroll cultural festivals was opposed by some of the councillors in 2024, including the now mayor Georgina Oxley.

On 5 February another article by the same media outlet, the Australian, stated:

… Nick Staikos is alleged to have warned council chiefs that unless they stopped a ‘witch hunt’ against an ALP-aligned councillor over a controversial $75,000 grant he would call in government monitors to oversee the council’s operation.

And he did put in monitors.

The PRESIDENT: Ms Crozier, I think you are making an allegation against a sitting member.

Georgie CROZIER: No, I am just quoting from the –

The PRESIDENT: You can quote from anything. You know the standing orders better than me. You cannot make an allegation against a sitting member like that. Maybe just get to your action.

Georgie CROZIER: I am getting to the action, thank you, President. I appreciate that guidance. The point is he did put in monitors, and just before Christmas he extended them for a further six months. Premier, these standover tactics are far too prevalent amongst members of the Labor Party. The action I seek is for you, Premier, to explain what you have done to stamp out the egregious behaviour of the members of your own executive in abusing their privilege.