Thursday, 1 August 2024

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:02): My question is to the Premier. Yesterday the Premier acknowledged that she had failed to answer a very simple question: whether the member for Eltham had raised concerns about CFMEU misconduct with her in 2022. Has the Premier ever discussed, verbally or in writing, CFMEU misconduct with the member for Eltham?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:02): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his question, although I do reject his characterisation of how I answered the question yesterday in question time. But I will repeat, as I have said previously, that allegations that have been raised with me have been referred to the relevant authorities.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, standing order 58 does require the Premier to be direct. I am specifically referring to the requirement to be direct. The Premier was asked whether she had ever had any verbal or in-writing discussions with the member for Eltham, and that question has not, again, been answered.

The SPEAKER: The Premier has concluded her answer.

John PESUTTO (Hawthorn – Leader of the Opposition) (14:03): The letter sent to the Premier in 2022 by an Indigenous labour hire firm regarding CFMEU misconduct detailed ongoing discussions with the member for Eltham. Why did the Premier fail to reach out to the member for Eltham to discuss these serious allegations?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:04): I thank the Leader of the Opposition for his supplementary question. I again repeat, for the benefit of the Leader of the Opposition, that all allegations raised with me were referred to the appropriate authority.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, again on standing order 58, the Premier has failed again to answer a very simple question. It is now four times we have asked these sets of questions in relation to these matters. It is totally unacceptable that the Premier can read out a script, irrespective of the question that is being asked. I would put to you that there is some obligation on the executive to answer questions.

The SPEAKER: In her substantive response to the question the Premier referred to a rejection of the characterisation of the question. There is no point of order. The Premier has concluded her answer.

James Newbury: On a point of order, Speaker, the reference you just made was to the substantive question, not to the supplementary response.

The SPEAKER: I have ruled on the point of order.