Wednesday, 29 July 2026

 Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (19:12): (2647) My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Health Infrastructure. Whilst there is a lot of discussion around a royal commission and the new Premier saying that he intends to hold a royal commission, I think it is fair to say that it will not have the teeth that it needs. Even in question time today he would not rule out that the shredders were going and that documents were being shredded. It will be a sham royal commission; I think we all know that. Just look at the COVID Coate inquiry and how Labor and this government and the former government covered up actions that Victorians deserved to understand. I am seeking an independent audit of every major Victorian health infrastructure project delivered under this government to guarantee that no taxpayer money has been wasted, inflated or diverted through corrupt conduct, criminal influence or improper interference.

The allegations reported by the Age on 14 July concerning the redevelopment of the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital are appalling, but sadly they are now commonplace. Former Victorian Health Building Authority executive director Stephen King says the authority was pressured by the CFMEU to remove subcontractors from the $320 million project. This is not coming from a disgruntled bystander. This is the man who ran the authority responsible for delivering some of Victoria’s largest health projects. According to the ABC, the minister herself called the allegations ‘alarming’ and ‘extremely serious’.

If they are serious enough to seek assurances on one project, they are serious enough to examine every hospital project funded by Victorian taxpayers. Victorians have every right to ask one simple question: if this happened at one hospital, where else did it happen? I think Victorians know with the cover-ups and the faux outrage from everyone saying, ‘Oh, this should not happen,’ that nobody believes this government. They are just not credible given the extent of what has been uncovered. The scandal that initially exposed corruption, intimidation and organised crime within Victoria’s Big Build has spread like a cancer into the health infrastructure area.

We know that the $15 billion that corruption-buster Geoffrey Watson found in February benefited drug running bikie gangs, underworld crims, thugs, serial sex offenders and even convicted murderers. This is extraordinary. The Premier, who sat beside the former Premier in cabinet and agreed with her that there was no need for a royal commission, is now saying there needs to be one. You cannot believe this man or this government because of their actions. They might say words, but they mean absolutely nothing. I am concerned that what has happened in the health infrastructure portfolio is symptomatic of what has happened in many other areas. A proper royal commission will only be done by a Wilson government. In the meantime I would like the health infrastructure minister to request this urgent audit.