Construction industry
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:18): (847) My question is to Minister Symes again. As the minister responsible for the Labour Hire Licensing Act 2018, you are responsible for implementing key recommendations of the Wilson report into the corrupt and crooked activities occurring on Big Build building sites. Why have you failed to implement all of the recommendations supported by government to this act, instead allowing criminal and corrupt behaviour to continue unchecked on Big Build construction sites?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:18): I thank Mr Davis for his question, and I do take the opportunity to thank Mr Wilson for the important work he did. We asked him to identify how as a government we can strengthen government bodies to respond to allegations of criminal and other unlawful conduct in the Victorian construction sector. Mr Wilson presented that report at the end of last year, and, Mr Davis, I will have legislation very soon in relation to the implementation of many of his recommendations, including amendments to the Labour Hire Licensing Act as well as the establishment of workforce inspectorate Victoria, which will be really important in being a one-stop shop for complaints, being able to make confidential disclosures and being directed as to where that information might be appropriate. But for me, particularly following reports in the last couple of days, I would like them to have a clear focus on women’s safety. They are some of the conversations that will be underway in relation to the development of the legislation, the debate of the legislation and ultimately the implementation of those important changes.
David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) (12:19): My question, therefore, is about the recommendation for a referral body, the alliance and all of the other matters. Why has the state government not established that referral body already, and why has the government dithered and delayed on establishing the new referral function in Industrial Relations Victoria, instead allowing the corruption to run unchecked on sites?
Jaclyn SYMES (Northern Victoria – Treasurer, Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for Regional Development) (12:20): Mr Davis, work to progress the recommendations is well underway. Legislation to commence the implementation of particularly the complaints referral thing will be in the Parliament very soon. But I would draw your attention to the Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority. It does have existing systems and processes in place to receive information about corrupt behaviours on Big Build sites, so there is an existing mechanism. What we want to do is make sure that it is strengthened and make sure that we have a body that can be more transparent and has the powers appropriate to deal with any of these allegations. I look forward to this legislation receiving bipartisan support in due course.