Prime Minister takes the weak option on CFMEU
It’s typical of the Albanese Labor Government to take the weak option when dealing with the CFMEU, which is exactly what they have done by placing the union into administration rather than deregistering it.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Minister Tony Burke should also stop acting like they are surprised by the appalling revelations of recent days.
It has been known for years that the CFMEU is riddled with criminal elements who have been involved in violence, thuggery, intimidation and bullying.
By his actions today Mr Albanese has shown Australians he is no Bob Hawke.
Bob Hawke had the guts to deregister the rogue BLF.
In 2016, he famously said that the unions need to clean up their act and get their house in order: “It is just appalling……I would not tolerate it. You know what I did with the BLF, I would throw them out.”
However, Mr Albanese is no Bob Hawke and has chosen the weaker option when dealing with the CFMEU.
Minister Tony Burke’s claim that administration is a tougher option than deregistration is complete non-sense. He says a deregistered organisation can still act as a bargaining representative. Mr Burke knows full well that anyone from an administered organisation can also act as a bargaining representative.
The Albanese Government is extremely conflicted.
Mr Albanese and Labor has spent the last two years giving the CFMEU everything they want, including control of Australia’s construction sector when he abolished the ABCC.
The CFMEU chaos we see today is a result of their actions.
Appointing an administrator is unlikely to have any long-term impact on the CFMEU.
They will still have all their systems in place and we will see individuals from the old leadership continue to pull the strings behind the scenes.
When the period of administration is over they will simply return to their old practices.
The thuggery, intimidation, corruption and criminal behaviour has been going on for years.
The Albanese Government has been in denial the entire time.
When will Mr Albanese and Labor say enough is enough and that the behaviour of the CFMEU is so bad that we need to start again.
The CFMEU needs to be deregistered and a new body established which respects law and order and works in the best interests of its members.
Most importantly, an administrator is no replacement for the Australian Building and Construction Commission which ensured the CFMEU and its officials were kept in check.
The Albanese Government needs to re-establish this body as soon as possible and give it enhanced powers to fight corruption and lawlessness in our construction sector.
Australians deserve nothing less.