Jarrah Resource Management
David SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (14:18): My question is to the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure. Yesterday in Parliament the minister failed to answer a question about whether she considered it appropriate for a Mick Gatto-linked company to be involved on taxpayer-funded projects, stating:
… it is a requirement of contractors to engage with their subcontractors to deliver these projects and ensure that they comply with all the relevant provisions …
Can the minister confirm that the Mick Gatto-linked company complies with all the lawful requirements?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery) (14:18): As the member indicated in his preamble to the question, this question was asked yesterday – was answered yesterday. I appreciate your question time preparation was a little unsettled today. I appreciate you are a bit distracted.
David Southwick: On a point of order, Speaker, question time is not the time to debate questions but to answer them, and I ask you to bring the minister back to answering the question.
The SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. I ask the Minister for Transport and Infrastructure to direct her comments through the Chair.
Jacinta ALLAN: Thank you, Speaker. As I indicated yesterday, the relationships between contractors and subcontractors are a matter for those subcontractors and contractors, and there are very clear provisions within federal law, federal legislation, for those companies to comply with those laws. If the member has any evidence to the contrary, he should provide it to those relevant agencies instead of trawling back through yesterday’s questions, given you had no time to get ready for today.
David SOUTHWICK (Caulfield) (14:20): Has the minister taken any action to restrict organisations with links to organised crime from gaining access to contracts on projects being delivered by Major Projects Victoria?
Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop, Minister for Commonwealth Games Delivery) (14:20): The answer to that question lies substantially in the answer to the substantive question that was asked by the member for Caulfield. If he has any evidence that he wants to provide, he should provide it. There are the relevant bodies that would take that information, and I have nothing further to add.