Former Australian Building and Construction Commission boss John Lloyd has branded dismissal of the need for tougher action against the CFMEU “astounding” as he called on the Albanese government to reinstate the building regulator.
Fresh allegations against the controversial union have heaped more scrutiny on the federal and Victorian governments, with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton calling for the CFMEU to be completely deregistered.
The presence of individuals linked to organised crime throughout the union have also prompted the Coalition to propose introducing new legislation based on United States RICO laws, designed to target racketeering operations.
There have also been calls for the Albanese government to re-establish the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which was dismantled in February 2023.
Speaking to Sky News Australia on Monday evening, Mr Lloyd argued the new revelations about CFMEU activity proved the now-abolished watchdog was still required.
“It’s clear that a regulator, a tough cop on the beat like the ABCC, is needed. The unions don’t respond, the union officials don’t respond to reason or rational discussion,” he said.
“They need to have a tough response, know that there’s consequences, serious consequences of actions they take.
“The ABCC with increased penalties above what’s there now, stronger powers to investigate unlawful conduct, criminal conduct. Those things are quite clearly needed and needed as soon as possible.”
Despite a growing chorus of calls to reinstate the construction watchdog, Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt was dismissive when asked about whether the Albanese government would explore the option.
Senator Watt also lashed the Coalition’s proposal for tougher laws aimed at cracking down on the sector, branding them “reckless”.
Mr Lloyd argued it was “astounding” for the government to take such a dismissive approach in light of the allegations, before explaining it would only be possible to reform the construction sector by sending a clear message to the CFMEU “the old ways are over”.
“To me, you’d only get lasting change if you have key players coming together,” he said.
“That is the client, the government, and that means Ministers and senior officials, involve Victoria Police, involve the head contractors and the major sub-contractors to say the old ways are over, lawful conduct will be applied, the union won’t dictate who’s engaged, the union won’t dictate who we select as contractors.
“If you do that, and if the head contractors are required to, if you like, report any unlawful or illegal conduct to the client and the police, then you’ll get change.”
The Albanese government placed the CFMEU into administration following initial revelations about alleged corruption and links to organised crime.
Senator Watt credited administrator Mark Irving with uncovering the latest instances of wrongdoing, saying he was “beginning to clean up the union”.
