Independent administrator tasked with putting ‘toxic’ CFMEU back together

An independent administrator has been tasked with stamping out the ingrained toxicity that has eroded the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) for more than a decade.

Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke has announced that Fair Work Commission general manager Murray Furlong will be tasked as the independent administrator of the CFMEU in response to the shocking allegations of criminal misconduct and bikie links within the union’s construction arm.

The divisions in Victoria will especially be under the spotlight as they have been deemed as the epicentre of the infestation relating to the thuggery and lawlessness that has permeated throughout the organisation.

Divisions in Queensland, NSW, South Australia, and Tasmania will also be placed under administration.

Furlong now holds the power to properly stamp out the corruption that resides within the CFMEU, with full backing from Minister Burke, who expressed his resounding support for Furlong, warning the CFMEU against fighting the application in court.

“If any of those actions taken by [Furlong] are opposed ... on the basis of some of the legal complexity of appointing an administrator, then the government will introduce legislation when Parliament returns to remove any barriers,” said Minister Burke.

“If it is opposed and there are barriers and this is not resolved by the time Parliament returns, then those barriers will be removed by government legislation.”

Minister Burke is willing to go as far as needed to ensure that the CFMEU is rid of the corruption that has been affecting the industry.

“The government will ensure that the regulator has all the powers it needs to appoint administrators. There can be no place for criminality or corruption in any part of the construction,” he said.

However, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has called the bluff of the Albanese government, claiming it was aware of the actions of the CFMEU yet “chose to do nothing about it”.

“I don’t believe that the Prime Minister can say to the Australian public that an adequate response is to appoint an administrator to what we know is a corrupt organisation,” Dutton said.

Dutton instead proposed deregistration of the union.

“If we simply went down the deregistration path, we would have an organisation still capable of bargaining and doing the entire business model we’ve been seeing reported over recent days with no layer of regulation or additional oversight that applies to registered organisations,” Minister Burke said.

“It would be a gift to the worst elements, and I have no intention of going down that path.”

Masters Builders Australia has thrown its support behind the government’s decision to appoint Furlong as the independent administrator.

“The announcement is a significant move in addressing a range of serious allegations against the CFMEU while ensuring workers retain access to workplace representation if they choose,” it said.

“It is also an important first step towards stamping out the toxic and ingrained culture within building unions of bullying, thuggery, and complete disregard for the law. This culture has existed for decades and has stifled productivity and increased the cost of construction at the expense of the community, taxpayers, jobs, and small business.”

The Australian Constructors Association (ACA) has also applauded the actions of Minister Burke, with ACA chief executive Jon Davies saying: “Whilst the joint media investigation has uncovered criminality, corruption and coercive behaviour in the Victorian branch of the CFMEU, the problems are not limited to Victoria.”

“This action, as opposed to deregistration, will importantly mean that workers will still have access to workplace representation if needed.”

“It should not be forgotten that lawful and well-run unions play an important role in maintaining a safe workplace and representing workers on pay and conditions.”