Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke says “everything is on the table,” after the sudden resignation of construction union boss John Setka amid allegations of misconduct.
The Victorian state secretary resigned from the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) following 12 years in the top job on Friday, with immediate effect.
It followed allegations in Nine newspapers he had allowed bikies and members of organised crime to act as union delegates, with instances occurring at government-funded projects.
Speaking on ABC’s Insiders, Mr Burke said the alleged actions were “completely unacceptable” and if necessary, he would deregister the CFMEU or appoint administrators to certain branches.
“In the advice I sought from the department, I want to make clear: everything is on the table,” he said.
Mr Burke said he had sought information on the powers he has as the minister. Multiple agencies will also be investigating the claims, including the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Australian Federal Police and state police organisations.
“When I think of union delegates, I think of someone who will serve you on a check-out at Woolworths or Coles, work as a cleaner in a major centre, a highly trained colleague … to see any criminal element, is not just a problem, but completely unacceptable,” he added.
Mr Burke said he had “put the union absolutely on notice,” however said he had no interest in halting infrastructure projects where the alleged actions had occurred.
“I don’t think any has interest in that,” he said.
“I want to make sure that we’re able to deliver a situation where workers are well paid and companies are profitable, taxpayers get value for money and the infrastructure we need is built.”
On Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned Mr Setka, simply saying it was “good” that the union boss had resigned.
“I expelled him from the Labor Party in my first few weeks as Labor leader. That was appropriate,” he said.
“Trade Unions exist to look after workers, to look after their wages and conditions and health and safety. They don’t exist to engage in the sort of conduct that John Setka has clearly been engaged with.
“It should be condemned. It should be isolated. It should be stamped out.”
In his own statement, Mr Setka said the “ongoing false allegations” did nothing but “harm the work this great union does for its members”.
“If my stepping down can stop these malicious attacks on our members and officials and allow this great union to continue to fight for our members, for their wages and conditions, so that they go home safely to their families each day, then I’m happy”.
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2024-07-14 03:59:16Z
CBMizAFodHRwczovL3d3dy5uZXdzLmNvbS5hdS9uYXRpb25hbC9icmVha2luZy1uZXdzL3dvcmtwbGFjZS1yZWxhdGlvbnMtbWluaXN0ZXItdG9ueS1idXJrZS1zYXlzLWNmbWV1LWNvdWxkLWJlLWRlcmVnaXN0ZXJlZC1mb2xsb3dpbmctYWxsZWdhdGlvbnMtYWdhaW5zdC1qb2huLXNldGthL25ld3Mtc3RvcnkvMDY0ZTQyMzBhZDQ3MTRiZGY5NGIzZDdkNTUzZGI5MzHSAQA
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