Labor takes steps to cut CFMEU loose

The national executive of the Australian Labor Party has suspended affiliation with the construction division of the CFMEU to ALP branches in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.

That means the ALP in those states will refuse to take political donations, membership and affiliation fees, or other money from that division of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union while the ban is in place.

The unanimous decision taken on Thursday (18 July) follows allegations of serious misconduct within the union’s ranks, including grave accounts of bullying and infiltration by crime figures.

ALP national secretary Paul Erickson issued a statement following the meeting saying the dissociation will stay in force “until further notice” and all ALP membership rights will be forfeited by the affected CFMEU branches.

“The number one job of any union and its officials is to look after its members. The reported behaviour is the complete opposite of this,” Mr Erickson said.

“The national executive has taken note of the general manager of the Fair Work Commission’s statement that, among other things, he is seeking advice about making an application to place the branches of the CFMEU into administration.

“The ALP national executive will consider extending the suspension of affiliation to other branches of the construction division should they be placed into administration.”

Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke announced on Wednesday that the Federal Government would ensure the Fair Work Commission can appoint administrators to the union.

“The government will ensure the regulator has all the powers it needs to appoint administrators,” Mr Burke said.

“What I’m wanting to do is make sure this is a process under the regulator and not a political process.

“I do believe these actions are best taken by the regulator, but any action to appoint an administrator will be supported by me as Minister.”

The ACT Government took its own steps on Wednesday to distance itself from the CFMEU, with Chief Minister Andrew Barr issuing a statement to say ACT Labor will not accept donations from the union.

He said, “ACT Labor condemns, in the strongest terms”, the criminal activities alleged to have been undertaken by some members of the CFMEU in some other states.

“We support the Federal Government’s decision to have an independent administrator appointed to manage certain branches of the Construction and General Division of the CFMEU,” Mr Barr said.

“We note that the Federal Government has indicated that the Fair Work Commission will determine where the administration actions apply.

“The allegations aired over recent days, which resulted in the Federal Government’s application to appoint an independent administrator, have not included the ACT Division of the CFMEU.

“However, if there are any serious concerns raised by the Fair Work Commission that impact the ACT Division, action will be taken against the ACT Division consistent with action taken against other branches of the union.

“As the implementation of the independent administrator takes place and the future of the union remains unclear, ACT Labor will not accept donations from any branch of the CFMEU, including the ACT branch.”

Canberra Liberals leader Elizabeth Lee said the Chief Minister had more questions to answer over the allegations made about the CFMEU.

“Andrew Barr has gone missing this week,” Ms Lee said.

“He has not fronted the public to answer questions on these serious issues and he has failed to confirm if he will suspend affiliation with the CFMEU.

“After his weak response to the serious revelations about the CFMEU, Andrew Barr has now been shamed into confirming he will no longer be taking donations from the union.

“This only came after the Federal Government’s decision to intervene yesterday to appoint an independent administrator. Whilst other state leaders around the country took immediate action, Andrew Barr sat on his hands and went into hiding.

“There are a number of questions that remain for Andrew Barr, including whether unions, including the CFMEU, are still attending the ACT Labor conference, whether they will still be putting forward their motions seeking unprecedented power over ACT Government procurements and senior public service appointments.

“Canberrans also have every right to know how Andrew Barr and his Labor cabinet ministers will vote on these motions.

“The lack of leadership from Andrew Barr this week regarding the outrageous revelations about the CFMEU and its push for even more power in the ACT should ring alarm bells for all Canberrans.

“Andrew Barr must come clean, front up, and explain to the community who is actually running his government – him or the unions.”