Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said any evidence of corruption within the CFMEU should be immediately referred to the police, as he defended the federal government’s action on the embattled union.
“We have no tolerance for organised crime, and it’s appropriate that authorities take action when it comes to the CFMEU. In my first month as leader I expelled John Setka from the Labor Party. He took us to court, and we won that legal action. We have put the CFMEU into administration, something that was not done by the former government at all,” Albanese told ABC’s 7.30 last night.
Albanese’s comments came after revelations in this masthead that the Victorian government knew the CFMEU’s lawless takeover of its Big Build infrastructure program was driving massive labour cost blowouts but directed contractors to pay up and carry on, including $200 million to cope with out-of-control industrial relations on Labor’s much-touted Metro Tunnel project. Reports in this masthead also went to the involvement of gangland figure Mick Gatto in the alleged conduct.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has said any evidence of corruption within the CFMEU should be immediately referred to the police. Alex Ellinghausen
The prime minister said he had sought assurances that no federal funds would end up in the hands of gangland figures, as he backed Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan’s response: “The premier has made her position very clear as well, of her opposition to any corruption, which is that it’s appropriate the authorities take action”.
Asked about “strong evidence” that money was flowing between contractors and organised crime figures, Albanese said: “[Where] there is evidence of corrupt conduct in any area of Australian society, it’s appropriate the authorities, the police take action, people are charged, and people have the book thrown at them, it’s that simple,” he said.
“If there’s criminal activity, there should be the strongest possible action. Full stop. Exclamation mark.”