NSW Labor Moves to Suspend CFMEU From Party

A string of controversies has led to Labor calling for the CFMEU to cut ties with the party.

Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) signs in Brisbane, Australia on July 16, 2024. AAP Image/Jono Searle

The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) is set for yet another shake-up after New South Wales (NSW) Premier Chris Minns moved to suspend the group from the Labor Party.

Mr. Minns and NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookey penned a joint letter to the NSW Labor Party secretary general following corruption allegations against the CFMEU.

They requested swift and necessary steps to suspend the CFMEU’s construction and general divisions and for a halt to affiliation with the party or donations.

On July 17, the premier and treasurer called revelations of misconduct among the CFMEU “appalling.”

“There is absolutely no tolerance for criminal or corrupt behaviour in the building industry, in unions or anywhere for that matter,” they said in a joint statement.

“It is clear the CFMEU construction and general division will not and cannot clean itself up.”

Concern came about after widespread reporting on an alleged incident in 2020 where a hidden police camera caught CFMEU’s NSW construction boss Darren Greenfield accepting a $5,000 bundle of cash.

The video appears to show a building company owner pass a wad of cash to Darren Greenfield under the table.

Mr. Greenfield can later be seen placing the wad of money into his drawer.

The video was part of a NSW Police and Australian Federal Police investigation into Mr. Greenfield, which resulted in charges of corruption in 2021.

Mr. Greenfield’s case is yet to go to trial.

His son Michael Greenfield, the NSW CFMEU secretary, was also charged.

Mr. Greenfield has retained considerable influence in the CFMEU as he awaits trial.

Meanwhile, the former leader of the CFMEU’s Victorian construction division, John Setka, recently resigned after his grudge with AFL umpire boss Stephen McBurney led to the manufacturing division of the union to seek de-amalgamation.

There have also been allegations of criminal involvement in the union division, with a joint investigation by Nine newspapers revealing crime and bikie members had secured roles as delegates for the construction division.

Labor Senator Tim Ayres said the allegations against the union were shameful and steps to deal with the issue would be announced shortly by federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke.

“Tony and the team in there are doing the careful work of making sure that the government’s response is effective, well-weighted and effective,” he told ABC TV on July 17.

“Everybody in the Albanese government is absolutely appalled by what we’ve seen. Unions are there to look after their members.”

The NSW premier’s calls echo those of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who called on the party’s national executive to cut Victorian Labor’s ties with the CFMEU on July 13.

In a statement, she described the allegations as “thuggery” and said the “rotten culture must be pulled out by its roots.”