7 years ago
RECORD PENALTIES IMPOSED ON CFMEU FOR BARANGAROO LAWLESSNESS
Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash
The CFMEU has today been handed unprecedented penalties for its concerted campaign of industrial lawlessness at the Barangaroo building site in Sydney.
The CFMEU National branch, CFMEU NSW Branch and multiple union CFMEU officials have been ordered by the Federal Court to pay penalties in excess of $2.4 million.
Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said the lawless industrial strikes at one of the largest construction sites in the southern hemisphere involved over 1,000 workers and again demonstrates the utter disregard this militant union has for Australian law.
“Today’s judgement yet again demonstrates the utter contempt that the corrupt CFMEU has for the law,” Minister Cash said.
“Recidivist, militant CFMEU officials continue to believe the law does not apply to them. Enough is enough – Bill Shorten must immediately and unreservedly cut ties with what has become Australia’s most notorious union.”
In his judgement, Justice Flick found that;
“It is difficult, if not impossible, to envisage any worse conduct than that pursued by the CFMEU. The CFMEU assumes a prominent role in the industrial affairs of this country and had consistently exhibited a contempt for compliance with the law.”
“…the CFMEU has long demonstrated by its conduct that it pays but little regard to compliance with the law and indeed has repeatedly sought to place itself above the law.”
“It is difficult to perceive how such conduct can be regarded as in the best interests of the bulk of its member and the workers it supposedly represents. Such conduct may promote the CFMEU as a “militant” union. But the constraints imposed by the law apply all – including the CFMEU.”
A summary of the penalties is as follows;
| Respondent | Penalty
| CFMEU (National) | $1,326,000
| CFMEU (NSW) | $956,250
| Brian Parker | $45,400
| Robert Kera | $41,250
| Danny Reeves | $41,000
| Luke Collier | $40,400
| Tony Sloane | $5,500
| Darren Greenfield | $5,000
| Darren Taylor | $4,500
| Michael Greenfield | $3,000
| Richard Auimatagi | $3,000
In addition to issuing unprecedented penalties, Justice Flick also referred union officials Brian Parker, Luke Collier, Robert Kera and Tony Sloane to the Director of Public Prosecutions for possible criminal prosecution for allegedly giving false testimony during the proceedings.
Justice Flick also ordered the CFMEU to pay for prominent advertising in Sydney’s major newspapers to ensure the public and importantly, CFMEU members, are made aware of their illegal actions and the financial consequences for the union.
Today there are more than 90 CFMEU representatives before the courts for more than 1,300 suspected contraventions. In recent years the courts have imposed more than $12 million in fines for the CFMEU’s breaches of industrial law.
Since becoming Labor leader, Bill Shorten has accepted over $3 million in donations from the CFMEU. Under Mr Shorten’s policy, there would no longer be any protection for the victims of the CFMEU thuggery, as Mr Shorten has promised to abolish the ABCC and put nothing in its place to maintain the rule of law in the building industry. Not surprisingly, Mr Shorten’s policy would also save the CFMEU the millions of dollars that it regularly incurs in fines – money which could instead then go to Mr Shorten and the Labor Party.
“While Bill Shorten and Labor continue to accept donations from this corrupt union, they are condoning the union’s contempt for the rule of law and are just as unethical as this union,” Minister Cash said.
“Whether it is turning a blind eye to lawlessness, flagrantly trading away penalty rates or throwing workers under the bus, it is clear that the Labor Party will abandon all principle in return for millions of dollars from the union movement.”