Dear Editor,
Geoffrey Watson’s report into CFMEU corruption on Victoria’s Big Build construction sites makes for distressing reading.
The revelation $15 billion of Victorian taxpayer’s money ended up in the hands of bikies and organised crime figures, and the Allan Labor Government knew but did nothing about it, is a gut-punch to every hardworking Victorian.
$15 billion dollars is the equivalent of over $5,000 for every Victorian household.
It could have paid for over 130,000 police officers, nurses, or teachers.
It could have provided a significant funding increase to the CFA – for decades to come –
instead of the $55 million cut the Allan Government made.
It could have fixed our roads.
It could have increased support for farmers, regional schools, regional small businesses, regional hospitals, regional disability care, and mental healthcare services.
Instead, the Government has let regional Victorians down.
The CFMEU has underpinned Premier Jacinta Allan and the Labor Party for decades. As Minister for Transport Infrastructure and now Premier, she has been compromised in her ability to act against the CFMEU and stamp out corruption.
The Nationals and Liberals have referred the largest corruption case in Victoria’s history to the Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) for investigation. Victorians deserve answers and accountability.
The Nationals in government have committed to a Royal Commission to root out corruption and clean up our major project sites.
Danny O’Brien MP
Leader of The Nationals
