MELBOURNE — Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan cut short a press conference after a reporter accused her of appearing disinterested while fielding questions on alleged criminality at Big Build sites. Channel 10’s Jess Maggio pressed Allan on why purported victims of violence and corruption tied to the CFMEU construction union hesitated to contact police.

“They don’t feel they can report it because they have already uprooted their lives for fear of people that are no longer in the CFMEU, but are controlling the CFMEU,” Maggio said. She added, “You look disinterested.”

Allan shot back immediately. “Can I ask that you retract that last comment?” she said. As Maggio started to reply, the premier interrupted: “No, no, no… For this press conference to continue, I ask that you retract that last observation. I was merely considering my answer to your question.”

Another reporter tried to shift to a new question. Allan refused. “No, no, no, because I’m not going to stand here and be accused of something I haven’t done, and I would ask that you retract,” she insisted. “I’m happy to answer other people’s questions, but I can’t unless I have that very clear statement that this allegation of how I was behaving is retracted.” Pausing, she added, “It’s up to you… I’ll take your silence as agreement that you have retracted your statement.”

The exchange amplified tensions from a report released last week by barrister Geoffrey Watson. It detailed alleged drug trafficking, bikie gang involvement, systemic corruption and sexual exploitation on Big Build projects, which carry a $15 billion taxpayer price tag.

Police Minister Anthony Carbines dismissed Watson’s findings as “florid ramblings.” He called the barrister “thin skinned” and “very partisan,” accusing him of “making things up” and pushing “colourful stories.” “We’re not taking integrity lectures from people in Queensland, the homeless Sir Joe Bjelke-Petersen,” Carbines said, referencing a disgraced former leader.

Carbines highlighted police progress. Victoria Police made 17 arrests and filed 70 charges linked to the issues, he noted. “The scoreboard says arrests have been made, charges have been laid,” he said. “Not sure what’s on Mr Watson’s scoreboard — a lot of talk and a few headlines, but I don’t see anyone being charged.”

Watson fired back, likening Carbines’ rhetoric to that of underworld figure Mick Gatto. “I will say that I notice Mr Carbines’ comments closely paralleled those made by Mick Gatto,” he told the Herald Sun. “Not the sort of company I keep.”

Opposition calls for a royal commission into CFMEU practices gained traction in Victoria’s upper house, where every non-Labor MP backed the motion. Labor MPs voted it down. Carbines labeled the push political. “And that is where the Liberal Party always go, whether it’s WorkChoices or whether it’s a royal commission to cut wages and undermine jobs and working conditions,” he said.

The government maintains police investigations suffice. No royal commission plans emerged as scrutiny of Big Build operations persists.