Jacinta Allan’s press conference has now concluded. But before we move on to other news, let’s take a look at two exchanges between Nick McKenzie, the investigative reporter who broke the CFMEU story, and the Victorian premier.
Investigative reporter Nick McKenzie puts questions to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan.Credit: Justin McManus
Here is the first exchange (edited for length and clarity):
McKenzie: Premier, on April 17, 2023, in response to damning allegations [put in writing] to you by a subcontractor about violence, intimidation and union standover [tactics], you wrote … as the Commonwealth has primary responsibility, they will be best placed to address allegations of illegal behaviour. Why didn’t you act on those allegations then?
Allan: It is very challenging to respond to the correspondence that you’re referring to–
McKenzie: That’s your correspondence, premier.
Allan: Yes. And if there is the opportunity for that correspondence to be provided, I will be happy to provide a response.
This masthead also asked whether it was appropriate, or enough, for the national branch of the CFMEU to monitor the Victorian branch. Here is that exchange (also edited for length and clarity):
McKenzie: Premier, is it a cop-out for the national CFMEU branch to now lead the administration and cleanup? Isn’t that putting the fox in charge of the hen house? Does there need to be an independent judge appointed?
Allan: Well, Nick, given the federal government holds the responsibility for industrial relations powers, that’s not a question for me. What I have been focused on over the course of this weekend is looking at what further action, what immediate action, we can and must take here in Victoria. And I have outlined that this morning.
McKenzie: Are you aware that a CFMEU state branch has this morning put out a social media statement to its members saying it will be business as usual?
Allan: I’m not aware of that statement.