I'm sure most Victorians are shocked by the revelations about widespread corruption, illegality and thugs at construction sites around Victoria in recent weeks.
Prime Minister Jacinta Allan cannot claim to be one of them.
It has been proven that the current Prime Minister and Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have been sent detailed evidence of violence and black bans by CFMEU officials from companies that employ indigenous workers.
Last year, opposition parties referred the practice to the Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC).
It is true that ten years ago Labor politicians here in Victoria were aware of the CFMEU's record of intimidation, coercion and boycotts.
But for almost a decade after Labor was in power, they continued to accept CFMEU funding, allowed CFMEU to donate to and control the Victorian Labor Party, and turned Labour's so-called “Big Build” into a union. I pretended not to see it. – and the gang-led “Big Loot.”
The CFMEU is one of the largest donors to the Victorian Labor Party and directly influences Labor policy, pre-selections and internal party appointments.
They have turned a blind eye to this corruption for their own benefit and to look after their fellow citizens.
They have allowed billions of Victorian taxpayers' money to be wasted, misused and wasted.
This is a test of leadership for Jacinta Allan, and the test is simple: What did the Prime Minister know? When did he know it?
Until Jacinta Allan answers these fundamental questions, Victorians will have no faith in the government's ability, or desire, to root out rampant corruption on her watch.
In contrast, Victoria's Liberal and National parties have plans to root out corruption in the construction industry.
We are calling for Labor to put the state's interests ahead of its own and establish a Royal Commission into CFMEU misconduct on Victorian Government projects.
As we have seen, Labor and the CFMEU are one and the same and cannot be trusted to investigate themselves.
Only a truly independent Royal Commission can shine a light on the problems Labor has been trying to cover up and ensure this shocking corruption never happens again.
To further ensure this, a future Liberal and National government will establish Construction Enforcement Victoria, an independent watchdog to enforce the building and construction industry code of conduct.
The trade union corruption exposed in the last two weeks and covered up by Jacinta Allan and the Labor Party shows we need tough cops.
The Code guarantees that workers can join the union of their choice and covers standards of conduct on the job, fitness for work, the content of enterprise agreements, prevention of collusion and other prohibited conduct.
Only then can we ensure that this rampant corruption and union misconduct never happens again.
Victorians deserve better.
Evan Mulholland is the Northern Capital Territory Liberal Member of Parliament and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council of Victoria. •
