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Union corruption claims back need for building watchdog, says Eric Abetz Union corruption claims back need for building watchdog, says Eric Abetz
(about 3 hours later)
The workplace minister, Eric Abetz, says a looming judicial inquiry into union slush funds, and the Coalition’s proposed building industry watchdog, are both required to stamp out corruption in the construction industry.The workplace minister, Eric Abetz, says a looming judicial inquiry into union slush funds, and the Coalition’s proposed building industry watchdog, are both required to stamp out corruption in the construction industry.
A joint investigation by the ABC and Fairfax Media has exposed allegations of corruption, kickbacks and extortion on major projects including Victoria's desalination plant and the Barangaroo development in Sydney.A joint investigation by the ABC and Fairfax Media has exposed allegations of corruption, kickbacks and extortion on major projects including Victoria's desalination plant and the Barangaroo development in Sydney.
The national secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Dave Noonan, on Tuesday morning said the new allegations should be referred to the police, and he said the union would have no tolerance if any officials were found to have acted improperly.The national secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, Dave Noonan, on Tuesday morning said the new allegations should be referred to the police, and he said the union would have no tolerance if any officials were found to have acted improperly.
Noonan said the union was examining specific allegations raised by the reports. The reports allege participation by criminals in construction projects, and implicate some union officials in New South Wales and Victoria in improper conduct.Noonan said the union was examining specific allegations raised by the reports. The reports allege participation by criminals in construction projects, and implicate some union officials in New South Wales and Victoria in improper conduct.
Abetz said the reports published on Tuesday made the case for the building industry to have a strong policeman.Abetz said the reports published on Tuesday made the case for the building industry to have a strong policeman.
He said previous inquiries into the construction industry had concluded that corruption occurred when “big unions [were] in cahoots with big business”.He said previous inquiries into the construction industry had concluded that corruption occurred when “big unions [were] in cahoots with big business”.
The Coalition while in opposition promised a judicial inquiry into trade union slush funds, and there is some speculation the inquiry may be elevated to the status of a royal commission.The Coalition while in opposition promised a judicial inquiry into trade union slush funds, and there is some speculation the inquiry may be elevated to the status of a royal commission.
Abetz said the government would have more to say on the scope of the proposed inquiry later.Abetz said the government would have more to say on the scope of the proposed inquiry later.
The inquiry, among other things, would have scope to examine allegations about the Australian Workers Union workplace reform association which plagued the former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard.The inquiry, among other things, would have scope to examine allegations about the Australian Workers Union workplace reform association which plagued the former Labor prime minister Julia Gillard.
The workplace minister said on Tuesday said the two approaches – beefing up the construction commission, and the judicial inquiry – did not constitute overlap.The workplace minister said on Tuesday said the two approaches – beefing up the construction commission, and the judicial inquiry – did not constitute overlap.
Abetz said Australians wanted an end to corruption, and he blasted Labor for watering down the powers of the Australian Building and Construction Commission while in government.Abetz said Australians wanted an end to corruption, and he blasted Labor for watering down the powers of the Australian Building and Construction Commission while in government.
But Noonan said the Coalition was intent on blurring the line between industrial activity and the criminal law. He said the union did not always know who stood behind companies in the building trade. The New South Wales premier, Barry O’Farrell, echoed that sentiment in Sydney. He told journalists the reports demonstrated that federal Labor needed to “get out the way” of the new Coalition government and allow the construction commission to be re-established.
That said, O’Farrell called for some “perspective” in relation to the conduct alleged in the reports. The allegations regarding the Barangaroo development related only to “limited involvement by colourful characters”, he said.
Noonan said the Coalition was intent on blurring the line between industrial activity and criminal law. He said the union did not always know who stood behind companies in the building trade.