Thursday, 5 March 2026

 Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:14): My question is to the Minister for Industrial Relations. Today’s Age revealed that the Victorian Labour Hire Authority has begun moves to cancel the labour licence of a subsidiary Mick Gatto–linked entity, M2 group. When did the Labour Hire Authority begin this enforcement action?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:15): I thank Mr Welch for his question. However, I believe you used the term ‘M2’. I am familiar with an organisation called M1, but I think we are talking about the same organisation. The way to answer your question, Mr Welch, is to confirm the information that the Labour Hire Authority have put into the public domain, and they have done so because of legislative changes that you and I discussed recently in relation to enabling them to disclose matters in the public interest. As you would appreciate, an independent agency conducting an investigation should choose and be the decider of when that information comes through, and that is what the legislation changed. Before that they were unable to give a lot of information to the public about active investigations. I can confirm that the information from the Labour Hire Authority that has been made public is the same information that has been provided to me and my offices. In relation to this investigation, it has been ongoing for very many months. You would appreciate it is an independent agency. They are dealing with matters that I would never seek to interfere with as a minister.

 Richard WELCH (North-Eastern Metropolitan) (12:16): Thank you, Minister, for the answer. Given that Mick Gatto’s links to the M Group were publicly revealed in 2024, why did the Labour Hire Authority renew M Group’s trades and labour licence in 2025?

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:16): Thank you, Mr Welch, for your further question. I think I have answered your question in my response to your substantive question. It is not appropriate for me as a minister to seek individual information on investigations or individual matters, except at a very high level. The Labour Hire Authority of course have the ability to provide information to me, as they do to the public, but my role is certainly not to interfere in an active investigation and not to provide public comment.