CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY – AUSTRALIA

Bosses exploiting CFMEU vacuum

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Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian – Page: 5 : 3-Sep-24

The Maritime Union of Australia’s national secretary Paddy Crumlin has warned that CFMEU members, employees and officials will be hard hit by the federal government’s move to appoint an administrator to its construction division. He says many full-time officials were sacked when the administrator took control, despite not being accused of any wrongdoing. He adds that these officials are subject to special provisions that prohibit them from taking jobs at any other union. Credlin, who is also the national president of the CFMEU, also says that some employers in the construction industry have refused to sign off on new workplace agreements that were about to be finalised when the administrator was appointed.

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CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY AND MARITIME EMPLOYEES UNION, MARITIME UNION OF AUSTRALIA

CFMEU vows to destroy the ALP

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Original article by Ewin Hannan, Mohammad Alfares
The Australian – Page: 1 & 5 : 28-Aug-24

More than 60,000 construction workers downed tools on Tuesday to join capital city protests against the federal government’s move to appoint administrators to the CFMEU’s construction divisions. Sacked CFMEU state leaders said they will campaign for the "absolute destruction" of Labor, urging union members to vote against the party at the next federal election and the state polls in Queensland and NSW. Former Queensland state secretary Michael Ravbar intends to pursue a High Court challenge against the administration, while former national secretary Christy Cain has urged Maritime Union of Australia members to join the next rally in solidarity with the CFMEU.

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CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY AND MARITIME EMPLOYEES UNION, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, MARITIME UNION OF AUSTRALIA

Labor denies Setka’s claim of secret deal

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Original article by Paul Karp
The Guardian Australia – Page: 6 : 27-Aug-24

Former Construction, Forestry & Maritime Employees Union official John Setka told Seven’s Spotlighht program on Sunday that he had been given the impression that the CFMEU would be "left alone" if he quit. However, the suggestion that the federal government had agreed to let Setka stand down in return for not placing the CFMEU into administration has been rejected by the federal government, with workplace relations minister Murray Watt saying that claims by Setka that Labor double-crossed him over the issue were "absolutely fanciful".

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CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY AND MARITIME EMPLOYEES UNION, SEVEN WEST MEDIA LIMITED – ASX SWM, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS

CFMEU courts war on Labor

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Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian – Page: 1 & 6 : 21-Aug-24

The CFMEU’s national secretary Zach Smith says federal government legislation to appoint an administrator to its state construction divisions is "dangerous" and undermines the democratic functioning of unions. He adds that the CFMEU is considering its options but has yet to decide whether to pursue a legal challenge. However, sources have indicated that the union is considering a High Court ­challenge on constitutional grounds. The United Firefighters Union’s Victorian secretary Peter Marshall says all unions should challenge the legislation in the High Court, and warns that other unions could potentially be targeted in the future. The Electrical Trades Union’ state secretary Troy Gray contends that Labor has betrayed the union movement.

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CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY AND MARITIME EMPLOYEES UNION, UNITED FIREFIGHTERS’ UNION OF AUSTRALIA, ELECTRICAL TRADES UNION, HIGH COURT OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

CFMEU headed for administration after Labor-Coalition agreement

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Original article by Phillip Coorey
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 4 : 20-Aug-24

Legislation to appoint administrators to the CFMEU’s state construction divisions was passed by the Senate on Monday, after the federal government agreed to several concessions sought by the Coalition. Amongst other things, the government accepted the Coalition’s push for a minimum administration period of three years and a maximum of five years, and for administrator Mark Irving to provide federal parliament with a progress report every six months. Irving has agreed that the CFMEU will not make any political donations or engage in "party politics" during the period of administration. Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt has described the legislation as the strongest action a government has taken against a union in Australia’s history. The bill will be put before the lower house later this week.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS

ALP set to rush CFMEU law through Senate

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Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian – Page: 4 : 14-Aug-24

The Coalition still has some concerns about the federal government’s legislation to appoint administrators to the CFMEU’s state construction divisions. However, it is ultimately expected to support the bill, although shadow employment minister Michaelia Cash will push for a Senate inquiry into the legislation. Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn contends that an inquiry is not necessary and the bill should be passed as quickly as possible. Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt intends to table a motion in parliament today for the bill to be passed by the Senate on Thursday, with a view to having it passed by the upper house either on the same day or early next week.

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CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY AND MARITIME EMPLOYEES UNION, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS, MASTER BUILDERS AUSTRALIA INCORPORATED

Greens, Libs to play tough on CFMEU

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Original article by Phillip Coorey, David Marin-Guzman
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 1 & 6 : 13-Aug-24

The Coalition contends that the federal government’s bill to appoint administrators to the CFMEU’s state construction divisions is "weak" and should be referred to a Senate committee. The Greens will in turn decide their position regarding the proposed legislation on Tuesday, and expressed concern that it overrides the court process. Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt argues that forcing the bill to be scrutinised by a Senate inquiry would demonstrate that the Coalition is not serious about addressing the "criminality, bullying and thuggery" within the CFMEU. The Coalition has committed to deregistering the union if it wins the next election, although Watt believes that administration is a more practical option.

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CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY AND MARITIME EMPLOYEES UNION, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN GREENS, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS

CFMEU calls in corruption buster for conduct inquiry

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Original article by Damon Johnston
The Australian – Page: 6 : 31-Jul-24

The CFMEU’s national secretary Zach Smith says the union has appointed Geoffrey Watson, SC to head an independent investigation into its alleged links to organised crime. Watson is a former counsellor assisting the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption, and Smith says his review will inform the future actions of the union. Smith adds that much of the recent media reporting with regard to the CFMEU has been "misinformed"; however, he adds that some of the issues that have been raised must be taken seriously and they will be addressed "head on".

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CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY AND MARITIME EMPLOYEES UNION, NEW SOUTH WALES. INDEPENDENT COMMISSION AGAINST CORRUPTION

CFMEU will take years to rebuild: Watt

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Original article by Ewin Hannan
The Australian – Page: 1 & 4 : 30-Jul-24

Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt says the allegations that the CFMEU’s construction division has links to organised crime are "shocking and seriously disturbing". Watt adds that addressing the issue is a top priority for the federal government. Watt also says the government is prepared to legislate to ensure that several branches of the CFMEU’s construction division are placed in administration. Meanwhile, Watt has criticised Coalition MPs for claiming that the CFMEU’s links to organised crime were well-known, questioning why the Coalition did nothing about the issue while it was in office.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS, CONSTRUCTION, FORESTRY AND MARITIME EMPLOYEES UNION

Construction insolvencies on track to set record yearly high

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Original article by Chris Herde
The Australian – Page: 17 : 23-Jul-24

About 400 licensed building companies were declared insolvent in each of the 2018 and 2019 calendar years. Data from Alares shows that there were a similar number of insolvencies during the first half of 2024, and the firm’s suggestions suggest that the full-year total will be around 700. Alares director Patrick Schweizer emphasises that its data excludes unlicensed building companies, which comprise the bulk of the construction sector.

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ALARES SYSTEMS PTY LTD