Master Builders ACT has urged the Fair Work Commission not to exclude the ACT branch from their application to place the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) into independent administration.
“It is imperative for the survival of the local building and construction industry that administrators be appointed to the Construction Division of the CFMEU, and this must include the ACT Branch, to allow a transparent and independent investigation into the allegations aired in the media recently,” Ziad Zakout, acting CEO of Master Builders ACT, said.
The Fair Work Commission filed a court application to appoint an independent administrator to the CFMEU’s embattled general and construction divisions.
Last month, the commission revealed it would act after accusations of criminal misconduct and bikie links were levelled at the union’s construction arm.
The commission has proposed the court appoint Mark Irving to the position. Mr Irving has been a member of the Victorian Bar for nearly three decades, and has experience acting on union and employer matters.
“It is both disappointing and concerning that the ACT Branch of the CFMEU was not included in the application,” Mr Zakout said.
“We know our local members have experienced the same illegal activity, bullying and downright thuggery that has been reported in other states on a daily basis.
“The 2015 Heydon Royal Commission dedicated 337 pages to wrongdoing by the ACT CFMEU in their report. ACT CFMEU Secretary Zach Smith and other ACT officials have been found to be in breach of legislation on numerous occasions.
“Without the ACT included, our members will be much less likely to come forward about their experiences and provide evidence, for fear of reprisals.
“We strongly encourage the Fair Work Commission to take action against the ACT branch.”
Labor’s national executive has already severed ties with the CFMEU, and will no longer accept political donations or affiliation fees from the troubled construction arm.
However, although ACT Labor will no longer accept donations from any branch of the CFMEU, Chief Minister Andrew Barr did not suspend his party’s affiliation with the union, to which many of his MLAs have strong ties, nor would he hold a probe into ACT Government-approved projects where the CFMEU was involved.
With AAP
