‘All options on table’ to halt alleged union-bikie link
Dominic Giannini |
All options are on the table to tackle allegations of criminal links between the construction union and organised crime, the workplace relations minister says.
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 a Nine newspaper report detailing the accusation.
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.”
The resignation of controversial Victorian CFMEU boss John Setka from the union ahead of the reports airing was “a start”, he said.
“It is in no way the end of what needs to be done,” he added.
“People need to know that the criminal element needs to be gone, very quickly, and I am ready to act.
“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.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed Mr Setka’s resignation when the news reports aired on Saturday.
“Good. John Setka has no legitimate place in the Labor movement,” he told reporters.
Mr Setka has denied wrongdoing, describing the reports as “false accusations” and “false stories” about the union.
AAP
