There is no tolerance for any criminal or bikie links infiltrating the union movement or construction sector, the federal workplace relations minister says in the wake of damning allegations.
Tony Burke has asked his department to advise him on ministerial powers to respond to reports alleging bikies were acting as union delegates and links between construction projects and organised crime.
“The extent of the criminal elements that have been there, I find absolutely abhorrent,” Mr Burke told ABC’s Insiders program on Sunday in reference to a Nine newspaper report detailing the accusations.
More reports into the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union were expected to follow and so he had sought advice in relation to what powers he had to intervene, Mr Burke said.
“I want advice on all the powers that I have with respect to what we’re seeing out of the construction division of the CFMEU, in particular Victoria, but I don’t know if it will broaden with the extra stories,” he said.
“I will effectively look at three things: the advice on the extent of my powers, the allegations as they are revealed and, finally, the extent to which the union itself acts immediately and effectively.
“If they don’t, I will.”
Victorian CFMEU boss John Setka suddenly quit the top role on Friday evening and has denied any wrongdoing, describing reports as “false accusations” and “malicious attacks” on members.
Mr Burke described Mr Setka’s resignation as “a start” but not the end of “what needs to be done”.
“People need to know that the criminal element needs to be gone, very quickly, and I am ready to act,” he added.
“I want to make clear – everything is on the table.”
This includes appointing administrators to branches of the union or even deregistering the union “if it’s what needs to be done”, Mr Burke said.
But he hastened to add he had asked his department for what legal threshold was required before he could invoke certain powers but wouldn’t act until all the evidence had come out.
“I’m certainly not going to end up taking an action where the day later I say, that wasn’t quite the right one,” he said.
“This week my department and myself will watch the evidence as it comes out – I have put the union absolutely on notice today.”
Mr Burke also hit back at suggestions Labor hadn’t or wouldn’t act against the powerful union because of the amount it donates to the Labor Party.
“I couldn’t care less about the financial contributions,” he said.
Acting opposition leader Sussan Ley called for the CFMEU to be de-registered and for Labor to stop accepting donations from the union.
“They need to be clear and transparent about what donations they have accepted and make a very strong statement that that will end,” she said.
Victorian government minister Melissa Horne said allegations had been referred to Victoria Police and Premier Jacinta Allan would have more to say in coming days.
Ms Horne said she would not personally take money from the CFMEU.
“This is not appropriate behaviour for Victoria,” she told reporters on Sunday.
Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto called for the union to be banned from projects where there are allegations of intimidation.
“For the government simply to say it’s going to refer it to police is just a blatant cop out,” he said.
Queensland opposition leader David Crisafulli also condemned the alleged crime links with CFMEU and said if his party wins government at the upcoming state election they would not take any meetings with the union.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously welcomed Mr Setka’s resignation.
“Good. John Setka has no legitimate place in the Labor movement,” he told reporters.
