Victorian Police Minister Anthony Carbines has been grilled in front of Premier Jacinta Allan after the senior Labor minister hit out at the government’s election strategy and Big Build corruption.

The Herald Sun has revealed that Minister Carbines had delivered a fiery spray during the Victorian Labor caucus’ annual retreat in Ballarat on Tuesday, warning the party was not doing enough about the CFMEU corruption scandal.

Ms Allan has repeatedly refused to call a Royal Commission into what is now the state’s largest ever corruption scandal, telling reporters there would never be one as long as she was Premier.  

But Mr Carbines reportedly told his Labor colleagues their caucus would be “much smaller” next year unless they did more to restore public trust.

The Police Minister also reportedly attacked the party’s campaign strategy ahead of the state election due in November.

The confrontation occurred less than 24 hours before Mr Carbines was set to appear alongside Ms Allan for an unrelated announcement.

As soon as the question period of the press conference began, Mr Carbines was asked about his views on the government’s handling of the CFMEU corruption scandal.

“Well, you’re referring to the caucus conference, and I don’t comment on caucus meetings,” the minister responded.

Reporters clarified that they were asking about his views, not the caucus meeting, but the Police Minister remained tight-lipped on his criticism as Premier Allan stood nearby.   

“The premier has made it clear the government’s position on those matters, and I continue to work closely with the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police to disrupt and dismantle organised crime wherever it may be across the state,” he said.

“And we’re working very closely and delivering results, and we continue to do that work together.

“The premier’s been very clear about the government’s position on that matter.”

When reporters said they were asking about his personal position, Mr Carbines responded that “my position is the government’s position”.

Asked if he thought there needed to be a change of direction ahead of the November election, the Police Minister attempted to pivot to criticism of the Opposition.

But journalists at the press conference were unfazed.

“With all due respect minister, given the alleged $15 billion from the CFMEU scandal, $600 million from the Commonwealth Games. Why should voters give Labor another four years?,” he was asked.

“Victorians will have an opportunity to have their say at the end of November, and we will continue to prosecute the case as a government that we can make things safer for people,” he said.

“We can make things easier and more affordable for people. And the Opposition, the choice is cuts under a Jess Wilson… That that’s the alternative.”

When Ms Allan stepped up to the microphone, the Premier attempted to present Labor as a united team.

“As Anthony just said, we’re not going to comment on what goes on at our Labor Party caucus conferences, other than to say this,” Ms Allan began.

“Anthony and I have both been members of Labor caucuses for some time now, and every time we get together in any room, we talk about our shared values and commitments to remain focused on delivering for working people and families here in Victoria, because that’s what unites my Labor caucus.

“We are there to make a difference for working people, to make the investments in schools and hospitals and the services that families rely on.

“So we have those discussions. We are always having strong, robust discussions about how we drive change for the Victorian community.”