Thursday, 15 August 2024

Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:11): (623) My question is for the Minister for Skills and TAFE. The minister has claimed that spot checks are carried out as part of the Skills First training program. Why did the minister fail to direct her department to immediately conduct a spot check into the CFMEU after allegations of misconduct by union officials emerged in the media?

Gayle Tierney: On a point of order, President, I seek your guidance because I believe that this is a repeat of a question that was asked in the last parliamentary sitting.

Members interjecting.

The PRESIDENT: Order! Before you call a point of order, I will rule on this one, because it might acquit you. There have been many rulings that questions can be similar by a number of previous presidents. I appreciate the minister’s point of order that it may be the same, but I do not believe it is. I just think it is similar, so I will call the minister.

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:12): I will give a very similar answer then. The fact of the matter is that I have not received any criminal allegations from anyone. Not only that, the Premier has outlined a process that if people have got concerns of any criminal activity, they should be submitted to Mr Wilson. It is a process that is underway, and that is the correct process for anyone who has an allegation. I would encourage anyone who has an allegation connected or related to my portfolio to actually contact Mr Wilson and to have those allegations investigated.

Evan MULHOLLAND (Northern Metropolitan) (12:13): The minister has previously stated that the department runs all of that, but the ministerial code of conduct specifically states that ministers are accountable for the decisions of those who act as their delegates or on their behalf. Given that the minister is personally accountable for her department’s action or inaction, why has she failed to seek assurances that there are no CFMEU officials who are also outlaw motorcycle gang or organised crime members delivering Skills First training?

Gayle TIERNEY (Western Victoria – Minister for Skills and TAFE, Minister for Regional Development) (12:14): Again, I believe that this is a question that has been previously asked and I have answered. The fact of the matter is that there is a process. I have not received any allegations. The fact of the matter is that there is a process where allegations can be placed, raised and investigated. That is the proper process, otherwise you have got a situation where there are processes cutting across processes and allegations are not getting fully ventilated.

Georgie CROZIER (Southern Metropolitan) (12:15): I move:

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

Motion agreed to.