Criminal behaviour and bikie gang links – calls growing for CFMEU probe
Calls are growing for a high-level inquiry into allegations of criminal behaviour and bikie gang links within a major construction workers’ union.
Union members are seen protesting during a CFMEU rally . (AAP Image/Darren England)
Federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said claims members of outlaw motorcycle gangs were acting as CFMEU delegates and links between construction projects and organised crime groups were “abhorrent”.
The minister has asked his department to advise him on what action can be taken after the claims were revealed in Nine newspapers on the weekend.
One of his options would be to deregister the union.
The head of the Victorian branch of the CFMEU John Setka quit on Friday night but not before describing the reports as “false accusations” and “malicious attacks”.
Mr Burke’s ministerial colleague Bill Shorten, whose electorate is in Melbourne, said he was furious.
“There’s a lot of very good trade unionists out there trying to make sure people return home from work safely and get properly paid,” Mr Shorten told Seven’s Sunrise program on Monday.
“There is no place at all – no place at all – for this criminal behaviour.
“It makes my blood boil.”
Opposition shadow treasurer Angus Taylor said the government, as the Labor Party, must stop taking donations from the union, deregister the CFMEU and re-establish the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which it abolished in 2023.
“Actions speak louder than words,” he told Nine’s Today program.
“And the Labor Party’s been very close to the CFMEU.”
A file photo of Angus Taylor
Shadow treasurer Angus Taylor called on the Labor government to stop taking donations from the CFMEU (Mick Tsikas/AAP PHOTOS)
The Business Council of Australia wants a “full, frank and independent” judicial inquiry into the union and says the CFMEU should be immediately banned from accepting government contracts.
“An inquiry of this nature would have the power to compel documents and witnesses, which is critical if we are to genuinely get to the bottom of how union officials and criminal organisations have allegedly worked together to profit from government and taxpayer-funded projects,” chief executive Bran Black said.
“All Australians suffer when unions undertake this sort of alleged behaviour, drastically pushing up building costs and making it so much harder to buy a home when we are already in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis.”
Mr Burke said on Sunday deregistrating the union would be considered “if it’s what needs to be done”.
