Tuesday, 18 March 2025

Construction industry

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:26): My question is to the Premier. How long has the Premier been aware of the use of outlaw motorcycle gang members as hired muscle for intimidation on behalf of trade union officials on Big Build sites?

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:26): Can I make it clear to the Leader of the Opposition that we have zero tolerance – that I have zero tolerance – for any form of criminal behaviour. Alongside that, it is my expectation, if there is anyone who holds evidence of allegations that there may be criminal behaviour, that they refer that to Victoria Police.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, I realise it was a short time, but it was a very narrow question: how long has the Premier been aware of this criminal behaviour on government sites?

The SPEAKER: I cannot direct the Premier how to answer the question. The Premier was being relevant to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: I make it clear that in my previous time as a minister in an infrastructure delivery role when allegations were made I referred them. I followed that practice of referring them to agencies for their follow-up. So I would encourage the Leader of the Opposition to not use parliamentary privilege as a place to throw these allegations around but rather to go and make these allegations to Victoria Police.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier is not listening. She is debating the question. I ask you to ask her to come back to the question.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The Premier has concluded her answer.

Brad BATTIN (Berwick – Leader of the Opposition) (14:28): In 2016 the Premier said in relation to requiring more powers to investigate union links to bikies:

We obviously take seriously the views that are expressed by Victoria Police and take on board their issues.

Why are bikies still profiting from Big Build sites almost a decade later?

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: I remind members at the table that they are not immune from being ejected from the chamber.

Jacinta ALLAN (Bendigo East – Premier) (14:29): What has not changed over that 10-year period is our government’s ongoing support for Victoria Police to support them with the tools, the resources and the powers they need to investigate allegations of criminal behaviour.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, the Premier has known about this criminal behaviour for 10 years, since 2016. Again on relevance, why are bikies still profiting on government building sites?

The SPEAKER: First of all, a point of order is not an opportunity to make a statement to the house. Second of all, it is not an opportunity to repeat the question. I ask members to make their points of order succinctly. The Premier was being relevant to the question.

Jacinta ALLAN: I make it clear again: rather than coming to this place with allegations, make them to Victoria Police. If you have got something, if you have got evidence –

Members interjecting.

Jacinta ALLAN: If the Leader of the Opposition has allegations to make, as with any member of the Victorian community, he should make them to Victoria Police.

Bridget Vallence: On a point of order, Speaker, there are no allegations. This is factual information. The Premier is debating the question.

The SPEAKER: There is no point of order. The Premier has concluded her answer.