Three nicked as CFMEU offices raided in two-state sting
Andrew Stafford |
The state headquarters of an embattled union has been raided, with detectives investigating allegations of corruption executed six warrants and arresting three people in two states.
Police are investigating allegations that a Victorian-based labour hire company provided corrupting benefits to Queensland-based CFMEU officials to influence them in the performance of their duties.
At 5am on Wednesday, Crime and Counter Terrorism Investigation Services in Melbourne executed warrants at residential properties in Mount Eliza and Pascoe Vale, and a commercial premises in Oakleigh South.
Supporting Victoria Police, Queensland Police detectives from the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU raided the union’s offices in Bowen Hills.
Separate warrants were also executed at residential addresses in Pimpama and Bahrs Scrub on the Gold Coast.
A number of items from the addresses, including electronic devices and paperwork were seized for forensic assessment.
A 47-year-old Mount Eliza woman, who is the director of a labour hire company, a 46-year-old Mount Eliza man and a 33-year-old Pascoe Vale man were arrested and interviewed by police.
The two men were charged with matters unrelated to the investigation and released from custody.
The Mount Eliza man was charged with making a false document as part of a separate Taskforce Hawk investigation and bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates Court on December 1.
The Pascoe Vale man was charged with distributing an intimate image and bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates Court on January 14.
The woman remains in custody.
Detective Inspector Ross Mitchell from Victoria Police said Taskforce Hawk was focused on eradicating criminality from the construction industry
“Those who are in the industry deserve to work in a fair and safe environment at all times,” he said.
“Taskforce detectives will also continue to work closely with other agencies, including our law enforcement partners interstate, to ensure all those involved in this type of offending are fully investigated.
“We encourage anyone that has any information on concerning behaviours witnessed in any construction industry workplace to come forward and speak to police.”
He said reports could be made anonymously and held in confidence.
A spokesperson for the CFMEU said the union would co-operate fully with the investigation.
Operation Hawk was established in July 2024 to specifically target criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry.
It transitioned to Taskforce Hawk in June 2025 in response to fresh allegations of serious and violent criminal behaviour.
It targets organised crime associated with the sector, including links to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
A long-running commission of inquiry into the CFMEU’s activities in Queensland has been told of allegations of corruption, bullying and political interference.
The state government has extended the inquiry for a full 18 months, to run into late 2027.
Further allegations into the union’s Victorian operations led to the toppling of former state premier Jacinta Allen and the calling of a second royal commission in that state by her successor Ben Carroll.
AAP