Premier Jacinta Allan has today confirmed that Labor's corruption cover-up is far from over.
For years, Labor has allowed bikies, organised criminals and corrupt union figures to infiltrate Victoria's Big Build worksites. At least $15 billion of taxpayer money has been rorted while the Premier and the Labor Government looked the other way.
Now, facing mounting public outrage, Jacinta Allan has announced reforms she has no intention of implementing before Victorians vote.
This is nothing but political damage-control from the Premier.
The Premier has confirmed the desperately needed reforms to Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog will not be legislated for at least 18 months, meaning Victorians will go to the election without stronger anti-corruption laws and without proper accountability for the scandal that continues to unfold under the Premier's watch.
Even worse, Labor continues to block the reforms needed now to ensure Victoria's anti-corruption watchdog can properly investigate what happened, before the election.
Victorians are entitled to know who knew what, when they knew it, and where their money went. Jacinta Allan is determined to ensure they do not get those answers until after the election.
Only the Liberals and Nationals have a plan to enforce the law, find the money and end the rorts. We will:
- Establish a Royal Commission into CFMEU misconduct and organised crime infiltration.
- Give IBAC real follow-the-money powers and greater transparency over corruption investigations - immediately.
- Establish Construction Enforcement Victoria to drive organised crime off Victorian worksites.
- Strengthen penalties for organised crime bosses and fully utilise asset confiscation laws to recover criminal proceeds.
Leader of the Opposition, Jess Wilson, said: "Jacinta Allan wants the headline today and the investigation after the election.
"If these powers are needed, they should start now.
"Instead, Jacinta Allan is asking Victorians to wait at least another 18 months while the cover-up continues - and taxpayers continue to be rorted.
"Labor spent years ignoring warnings, allowing corruption to flourish and protecting the system that enabled it.
"Victorians deserve the truth before they vote, not after.
"The only way to clean up Victoria is to change the government this November."
Shadow Attorney-General, James Newbury, said: "Labor's cover up of the biggest corruption scandal in Victoria's history continues.
"Jacinta's committee is a great big sham and a distraction that allows Labor to continue with their cover up.
"Every Victorian knows that corruption has blown up in Victoria, just as they know that it's found a home on government worksites.
"Jacinta Allan won't fool Victorians. Her only plan is to do nothing about corruption that is occurring today."
