Today
Fines and jail terms for attempts to disrupt CFMEU clean-out
The union faces three years under administration and big penalties for anyone who tries to interfere. The Opposition says the laws are too weak.
- Phillip Coorey
Yesterday
Labor warned CFMEU clean-up must go further
Legislation to put the militant construction union into administration will be introduced to Parliament this week but industry groups warned the looming takeover needed to go further.
- Andrew Tillett and Ronald Mizen
This Month
- Exclusive
- CFMEU
The union boss and the building executive
Multiplex executive Amy Pitchford is in a relationship with a CFMEU official being investigated by police, while also advising the Victorian government on industry issues.
- Nick McKenzie, David Marin-Guzman and Ben Schneiders
Watt moves to create CFMEU special powers
The deadline for the CFMEU to consent to the administrator has surpassed, triggering the government to move ahead with creating new laws.
- James Hall
High Court to test competition law on CFMEU ‘boycott’
The case will test the reach of competition laws on the CFMEU and builders when they kick non-union subcontractors from construction sites.
- David Marin-Guzman
- Exclusive
- CFMEU
CFMEU put Bandidos bikie on its governing board
Marty Albert was a union organiser on Victorian government construction projects and held a senior position in the John Setka-led branch of the CFMEU.
- David Marin-Guzman and Nick McKenzie
- Exclusive
- CFMEU
CFMEU, health union probed over alleged millions spent on ‘ghost printing’
Victoria Police and the Fair Work Commission are investigating a potential multi-million dollar fraud and allegations a top official misspent members’ money.
- Nick McKenzie, Keiran Rooney, David Marin-Guzman and Ben Schneiders
Getting witnesses to talk is tough in CFMEU case, court told
The judge in the union administration case has recused himself at the first hearing, as the Fair Work Commission’s lawyer warns it will take time to prepare the case.
- David Marin-Guzman
Dead email address for CFMEU evidence a ‘technical issue’, Allan says
The Victorian premier has defended Labor’s investigation into illegal activity in the construction industry against claims it is a “smokescreen”.
- Gus McCubbing and James Hall
- Exclusive
- CFMEU
Calls grow for royal commission to clean up CFMEU
There are growing calls for the federal government to launch a royal commission into the CFMEU, with the Business Council of Australia warning that an administrator does not have the powers to properly investigate misconduct.
- Patrick Durkin and Gus McCubbing
Fair Work names CFMEU administrator, seeks extraordinary powers
The FWC has chosen a senior barrister to administer the union and wants to give him sweeping powers to follow dirty money and sack officials. The CFMEU says it’s taking legal advice.
- Updated
- Nick McKenzie, David Marin-Guzman, Ben Schneiders and James Hall
- Opinion
- Opinion
Bogus email address shows Jacinta Allan’s CFMEU crackdown is a joke
The Victorian premier’s snap review of alleged criminal activity in the construction industry went 11 days without so much as an email address for whistleblowers to use. Until The Australian Financial Review asked about it.
- David Marin-Guzman
- Investigation
- Investigation
‘Flying blind’: Union watchdog hits roadblocks over CFMEU
The Fair Work Commission cannot get the evidence it needs to put the CFMEU into administration because it is not allowed to access critical police information.
- Nick McKenzie and David Marin-Guzman
- Exclusive
- CFMEU
Builders demand new CFMEU watchdog, but not deregistration
The building lobby wants a new, more powerful industry watchdog, but agrees that deregistering the CFMEU would be counterproductive.
- Phillip Coorey
July
John Setka – finally – leaves Incolink
No individual is bigger than the union, but Setka thought he was bigger than a CFMEU redundancy fund for a while.
- Hannah Wootton
CFMEU appoints anti-corruption expert to solve issues ‘head-on’
The embattled union has appointed a leading corruption fighter, national secretary Zach Smith has revealed.
- Staff reporters
- Opinion
- Opinion
How to burst the CFMEU’s balloon for good
Press the construction union, and it simply bulges up somewhere else. More tools are needed if the union’s long-term culture is to change.
- Peter Richards
- Opinion
- CFMEU
Albanese is responsible for the monster that is the CFMEU
A friendly political environment created by the Labor government allows the lawless union to thrive.
- Aaron Patrick
- Exclusive
- Commercial real estate
Union sparkies spare Cbus-backed builds from work bans
Developments in western Sydney are running months behind schedule due to industrial action at Endeavour Energy. But two projects seem to be exempt.
- Campbell Kwan and David Marin-Guzman
- Opinion
- Canberra Observed
It’s not just Labor that let the CFMEU off the leash
Jacqui Lambie, Pauline Hanson and some independents have played a role in enabling the militant union.
- Phillip Coorey
