Claims MPs ‘turned blind eye to CFMEU’ referred to cops
The police have been handed an explosive report alleging the Labor government turned a blind eye to union corruption and cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
CFMEU executive director Mark Irving released the full report to officials on Wednesday after suggestions it had initially been redacted to remove claims that could damage Victoria’s Labor government.
Mr Irving said barrister Geoffrey Watson’s final report into the Victorian branch of the militant construction union contained “serious allegations of criminal and improper conduct”.
“These issues have not been determined by a court or tested through criminal proceedings,” he said in a statement.
“The report will therefore be forwarded to the AFP, Victoria Police, the Fair Work Commission and other relevant law enforcement and regulatory bodies.”
Mr Irving said the report had been released so authorities could take “enforcement action they deem appropriate” as the CFMEU entered a “new chapter”.
The full findings emerged amid calls for Mr Irving to be sacked, following claims the report was drawn up to remove findings that suggested the state Labor government was “intimidated” by the CFMEU.
All episodes were canceled after it was reported that the government had a close relationship with the CFMEU and did nothing when union officials allegedly worked with organized crime figures on major projects.
The report claims the CFMEU’s actions have increased costs, estimating it has cost Victorian taxpayers more than $15 billion.
“This latest Watson report on Victoria forms an important historical record,” Mr Irving said.
“This will provide a constant reminder of the corruption that harms workers, members, unions and the entire construction industry.”
Mr Irving took the reins of the union in 2024 when it was put into nationwide administration following allegations of infiltration by bikies and organized crime figures.
When Mr Watson returned to give evidence to Queensland’s inquiry into abuses in the construction industry in Brisbane on Wednesday, the Victorian branch doubled down on its allegations.
“If someone had stepped on it they could have stopped it,” he told the inquest.
“I’ll prove it to you – because they stopped it, and management stopped it – it pretty much solved the problem in 12 months.”
Victoria’s Attorney General Sonya Kilkenny had previously refused to respond to the allegations until the federal report was released.
He said his government had not seen the report and was unaware of its contents.
“We are taking steps to eliminate such illegal behavior on our construction sites,” he told reporters.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson accused the state government of “turning a blind eye” and claimed Premier Jacinta Allan was “completely compromised”.
“He cannot continue to deny information or fail to take responsibility,” he said.
Federal Liberal leader Tim Wilson called on Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth to sack Mr Irving following reports that the manager asked Mr Watson to correct the report.
“The CFMEU executive… oversaw the removal and editing of parts of a report… highlighting the corrupt cartel network between the CFMEU and Labor,” he said.
Ms Rishworth said the executive had done more to clean up the union than the coalition had done during its time in government.
“Mr Irving was open and transparent about why parts of the report were removed, and that was because he was not satisfied that they were well-founded or properly tested,” he told parliament.
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