A recent report, “Rotting From The Top”, authored by Geoffrey Watson SC, as part of the Queensland Government’s Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU, has laid bare serious allegations of misconduct within the Victorian Branch of the CFMEU, including links to organised crime networks.
The Nationals’ Member for Shepparton District, Kim O’Keeffe, speaking on the floor of Parliament this week, has called out Premier Jacinta Allan and the State Government for wasting at least $15B of hard-earned Victorian taxpayers’ money on government Big Build sites.
“This is the biggest rort that this state has ever seen. It is shameful and this misconduct must be investigated with a Royal Commission,” said Ms O’Keeffe.
Ms O’Keeffe argued that Victorian taxpayers deserve answers as to why the Premier turned a “blind eye” on crime and corruption on government work sites.
“You would not get away with this level of corruption at any other workplace, and the Premier accountability and support calls for a Royal Commission to be established,” said Ms O’Keeffe.
“The Premier would do so if she and her government had nothing to hide from Victorians. $15 billion could have built 30,000 new homes in the midst of a housing crisis.
Ms O’Keeffe emphasised that the estimated $15B wasted on government work sites and through the Big Build should have gone towards the completion of Goulburn Valley Health’s Redevelopment.
“We currently have a hospital that is only 50 per cent funded and completed. This money could have also gone towards our crumbling and unsafe roads, health services, more police officers, more teachers and much-needed infrastructure and vital community services,” said Ms O’Keeffe.
