The Allan Labor Government’s funnelling of $15 billion to criminals on Melbourne construction sites has cheated rural and regional communities of funding that could have gone towards healthcare, schools, roads and emergency services.
Speaking in Parliament, Nationals Member for Lowan Emma Kealy scolded the government for squandering billions in taxpayer money through its Big Build program, in the biggest corruption scandal in Victoria’s history.
The Nationals and Liberals have called for a Royal Commission into the misconduct, to ensure people who have rorted taxpayer money on government building sites will face jail.
Ms Kealy, who directly questioned the Premier twice in Parliament last week, said the scandal was further proof the government was morally and ethically bankrupt.
“That money equates to more than $170 million for every Victorian electorate – about $5000 per household – that could have been spent on our roads, fixing hospitals and recruiting teachers and childcare workers. Instead, Labor gave it to bikies and criminal gangs, and the Premier refuses to do anything,” she said.
“On Wednesday, every non-government political party voted in Parliament in support of establishing a Royal Commission into this misconduct, but the Premier and her Labor government have continued to deflect and will not take any responsibility.
“What’s worse is that the Premier knew a referral to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission more than a year ago was dismissed because IBAC had insufficient powers to investigate, and yet she refused to give the commission the power to act.”
“IBAC must be given the power and resources it needs to rout out corruption in our state.
“Victorians deserve straight answers, accountability and transparency, but under Jacinta Allan and Labor they get lies, cover-ups and avoidance, all while the government uses their hard-end money to further its own interests.
“Victorians need a government they can trust, and at the state election in November they will have a clear choice. The only way to get rid of corrupt Labor is to vote for a Nationals and Liberals government.”
Ms Kealy encouraged people to share their views on the issue at https://vic.nationals.org.au/anti-corruption