Questions without notice and ministers statements
Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:09): My question is to the Premier. When the Premier was asked on 13 March whether he supported a royal commission into corruption on the Big Build, he said:
… I do believe a royal commission would take twice as long and cost twice as much.
He repeated that position in this place on 19 March. Today that position has apparently changed. Was the Premier right then or right now?
Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier, Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Medical Research) (14:10): Today I have announced that we will have a royal commission into the construction sector. I have also announced that we will establish a special prosecutor that will work alongside the royal commission.
Danny O’BRIEN (Gippsland South) (14:10): Only a few months ago the Premier said that a royal commission would ‘take twice as long and cost twice as much’. Isn’t it the case that the Premier is now supporting a royal commission for political expediency?
Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Premier, Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC, Minister for Medical Research) (14:11): No.