A senior union boss has accused Anthony Albanese of messing around after the Prime Minister confirmed another branch of the CFMEU would be placed under administration.
The Albanian government will legislate to ensure an external administrator can be appointed to review the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) after a series of explosive allegations this week.
The Victorian branch of the CFMEU has already been placed under administration and boss John Setka has resigned, with New South Wales set to follow suit.
When Albanese was informed of Setka’s resignation, he replied: “Fine.” He had already removed Setka from the ALP in 2019, when he was opposition leader.
The Premier confirmed in Brisbane on Wednesday that the Queensland CFMEU would also be placed under administration, prompting a strongly worded press release from secretary Michael Ravbar claiming Labor and Albanese were in a panic over the allegations.
“The Albanese Labor Government has opened the gates of hell for tens of thousands of workers as it struggles to protect big business and its fellow Labor members from scrutiny over their links to the criminal underworld,” the statement said.
‘By appointing unelected trustees to run the CFMEU, Albanese is attempting to deprive thousands of construction workers of effective representation when they need it most.
‘Albanese has panicked and soiled his head over some unproven allegations in the media. Workers can see that Albanese has lost control and that the country is being run by buffoonish morning show presenters and sensationalist radio hosts.
The Premier confirmed in Brisbane on Wednesday that Queensland’s CFMEU would also be placed into administration, prompting a fiery press statement from secretary Michael Ravbar.
When Albanese was informed of Setka’s resignation, he replied “fine.” He had already dismissed Setka from the ALP in 2019 when the opposition leader
“I will defend the integrity of the CFMEU every day of the week. If Albanese or any other politician wants to properly investigate criminality, they should start at the top, not the bottom.”
The director general of the Fair Work Commission is to investigate after a series of allegations against the union’s construction sector became public over the weekend.
The allegations include that criminal underworld figures and bikers acted as stewards on behalf of the CFMEU and that some members solicited and accepted bribes in return for beneficial treatment at CFMEU-controlled sites, many of which are taxpayer-funded projects.
Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke told reporters on Wednesday: “I think it is best for these actions to be taken by the regulator, but any action to appoint an administrator will be supported by me as a minister.”
Mr Burke also said he had asked the Fair Work Ombudsman to conduct a targeted review of all enterprise agreements made by the Victorian branch of the CFMEU’s construction division that apply to major Victorian construction projects.
“I want to emphasize this: We are seeking information about coercive behavior; the government has no intention of taking any action that would jeopardize the terms and conditions of employment of workers who are covered by these agreements,” Burke said.
‘This is not your fault.’
Mr Burke said he was not aware of the latest allegations before they were made public.
‘The topic of organized crime was published as an exclusive, that’s because it was new information.’
Mr Burke dismissed the deregistration of the CFMEU, saying it was no longer the “toughest action” a government could take against a union.
The Fair Work Act also allows deregistered entities to act as a “red union”, allowing them to negotiate on behalf of workers, which would negate some of the reasons for registration.
John Setka (pictured with his ex-wife Emma) resigned from the CFMEU on Friday evening.
Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke told reporters on Wednesday: “I think it is best for these actions to be taken by the regulator, but any action to appoint an administrator will be supported by me as a minister.”
“That capacity didn’t exist when the Builders’ Federation was defunded (by former Labor Prime Minister Bob Hawke),” Burke said.
“If we were to simply take the deregistration route, we would have an organization still able to trade and carry out the entire business model that we have seen denounced in recent days without any additional layer of regulation or oversight being applied to registered organizations.”
Mr Albanese said the government had acted “swiftly” and decisively to secure the trustees of the CFMEU’s Victorian, New South Wales and Queensland branches.
“It’s appropriate. We’re not waiting. We’ve been decisive,” Albanese told reporters in Brisbane.
