CFMEU ‘enjoy a significant level of influence’ over Victorian government, Big Build royal commission hears
Summary
A Victorian royal commission investigating alleged corruption on major infrastructure projects heard that construction company John Holland feared upsetting the CFMEU because of the union’s influence and links with the Andrews government. The commission is examining the union’s role in a 2022 work stoppage on the Gap Road level-crossing project, including officials’ actions and government responses.Key Facts
- The commission’s November hearings focus on the CFMEU’s involvement in the Gap Road project in Sunbury.
- Counsel assisting Chris Young KC said 20 witnesses had been compelled to appear.
- Young said some parties had not complied with orders to provide documents, and warned that failing to do so was a criminal offence.
- A 2017 John Holland email described the CFMEU’s relationship with the Andrews government as significant and noted concerns about its effects on government-client relationships.
- In 2021, John Holland described the CFMEU as having a significant level of influence within the Victorian government.
- Young said CFMEU officials entered the project’s eastern portal 29 times in January 2020 and had also interfered in the Metro Tunnel project.
- By early June 2022, project health and safety manager Neil Thompson was calling police for help with union officials who were stopping work.
- Internal notes submitted to the commission recorded threats attributed to CFMEU officials toward workers.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
