Tuesday, 28 July 2026

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:43): (1379) My question is for the Treasurer. I refer to the cabinet submission dated June 2023 from key infrastructure agencies that was provided to cabinet, warning of rampant systemic corruption on Big Build sites. Treasurer, I ask: what decisive action did you take to stop dead the corruption on these sites, still running into the billions of dollars?

The PRESIDENT: June 2023 seems a long time ago, and I am really unsure what portfolio responsibilities the Treasurer had, so it is –

David Davis: On a point of order, President, all cabinet members received this submission, and she could have taken action or not. My question is: what decisive action did she take? The answer could be none.

The PRESIDENT: I would imagine cabinet submissions on all sorts of items are presented to the cabinet and, getting back to the portfolio responsibilities at the time or even now, I am confused where you are going from –

David Davis: On a point of order, President, questions can be asked about matters of portfolio responsibilities or with which ministers are connected. She is a member of cabinet and received that submission. Others received it too, but she received that submission. ‘Did she take an action?’ is my simple question – or not?

Sonja Terpstra: On a further point of order, President, Mr Davis is debating the point. It is not a point of order. He should not use points of order as points of debate. It is not a point of order to debate the point.

The PRESIDENT: I will uphold Ms Terpstra’s point of order. The Treasurer is always willing, if she can, to help the chamber. I will call the Treasurer and she can answer as she sees fit.

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:45): Mr Davis, it is difficult for me to respond other than in a similar manner to which I did to Mrs McArthur, because again you have not made an appropriate nexus between a cabinet submission, I think you referred to, from some time ago – the crux of your question was about action in relation to allegations of –

David Davis interjected.

Jaclyn SYMES: We can all go back and look at Mr Davis’s exact words. I am sorry, Mr Davis; I am paraphrasing. Your question was asking exactly what action was taken in response to allegations of inappropriate behaviour on construction worksites. They are the measures that I just outlined to Mrs McArthur.

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:46): It is a wishy-washy, limp response. I ask therefore, Treasurer: why did you not support a royal commission when this smouldering evidence was presented to you and the whole of cabinet, including Gabrielle Williams and Ben Carroll?

The PRESIDENT: I am not sure what time zone we are in now.

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: The Treasurer has indicated she is happy to respond.

 Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts) (12:47): I will not be discussing matters that are discussed in cabinet.

David Davis: On a point of order, President, I am not asking about the cabinet discussion. I am asking about the actions. ‘Why did you not support a royal commission?’ is a very simple question. It is outside of cabinet. She could have supported it outside of cabinet.

The PRESIDENT: That is not a point of order. In your question you did refer to a cabinet process which the Treasurer responded to.

David Davis: I certainly did in the document, but nonetheless it is a simple question. Did she support a royal commission? Why not?

The PRESIDENT: She has answered the question.

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:48): I move:

That the minister’s failure to answer the question be taken into account on the next day of meeting.

The PRESIDENT: I am happy if you want to rephrase it. I cannot put that question.

David DAVIS: I move:

That the minister’s answers be taken into account on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.