Thursday, 19 February 2026

 David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:26): (1234) My question is for the Treasurer. The Treasurer would be aware that the Department of Treasury and Finance has a framework for assessing high-risk projects called the high-value, high-risk assessment framework, which requires the ongoing involvement of DTF and the Treasurer on high-risk projects. During the Commonwealth games inquiry we discovered that this project was not subject to this assessment framework because it had been split into a number of smaller projects and effectively evaded the high-value, high-risk assessment framework. Is the Treasurer aware of any Big Build projects which are not subject to the high-value, high-risk assessment framework?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:27): I thank Mr Limbrick for his question. Mr Limbrick, because of the way you have characterised it, I am reluctant to give you a direct answer, because I think the general framework would apply to all major projects. But as you have identified, there could be instances where projects are broken up into a number of projects. I would prefer to get you a bit more detail about the policy, then I can apply that to some of the big projects for you so that you can be very clear on how it applies.

 David LIMBRICK (South-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:27): I thank the Treasurer for that answer. Conversely, which Big Build projects is the Treasurer aware of that are subject to this framework?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:28): I thank Mr Limbrick for his supplementary question. The framework is expansive in relation to its application to big projects, but as I committed to you in your previous question, I will get you a bit more information to make it very clear about the application of the policy for you.