Statement from the Leader of the Opposition, Brad Battin
Once again, we see Premier Allan failing in her leadership - putting the protection of her government ahead of the protection of children and families who are the victims in one of the worst alleged cases of child sexual abuse in Victoria's history.
Since 2022, the government has known it needed to make changes to better protect children. But just as we have seen in health, in crime, and in housing, Labor has failed to act - and now families are paying the price.
This cannot wait. If addressing these failures requires Parliament to return as a priority, then the Liberals and Nationals stand ready to support that.
It is clear that confidence in this investigation has already been badly compromised by Labor's decision to appoint former South Australian Labor Premier Jay Weatherill to lead it.
Mr Weatherill was the Premier when South Australia faced its own scandal of systemic failures in child protection. At that time, he was forced to apologise for Labor's failure to act.
It is simply unacceptable that someone with this history has now been appointed to lead an investigation here in Victoria. Families deserve to trust that this investigation is about protecting children and delivering answers - not about protecting Labor.
If Premier Allan will not do the right thing and appoint an independent, credible figure to lead this investigation, then Mr Weatherill must do the right thing himself and step down.
Victorians must have confidence that this process is focused on the children and families who have suffered - not on shielding the government from scrutiny.
