Master Builders ACT has written to the Fair Work Commission urging it not to exclude the ACT branch from its application to place the CFMEU into independent administration.
“It is imperative for the survival of the local building and construction industry that administrators be appointed to the Construction Division of the CFMEU, and this must include the ACT branch, to allow a transparent and independent investigation into the allegations aired in the media recently,” said Ziad Zakout, Acting CEO of Master Builders ACT.
On Friday, the commission’s general manager Murray Furlong filed a Federal Court application to nominate an independent administrator to the CFMEU’s general and construction divisions.
“It is both disappointing and concerning that the ACT branch of the CFMEU was not included in the application,” Mr Zakout said.
“We know our local members have experienced the same illegal activity, bullying and downright thuggery that has been reported in other states on a daily basis.
“The 2015 Heydon Royal Commission dedicated 337 pages to wrongdoing by the ACT CFMEU in their report. ACT CFMEU secretary Zach Smith and other ACT officials have been found to be in breach of legislation on numerous occasions.
“Without the ACT included, our members will be much less likely to come forward about their experiences and provide evidence, for fear of reprisals.
“We strongly encourage the Fair Work Commission to take action against the ACT branch.”
Who can be trusted?
In a world of spin and confusion, there’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in Canberra.
If you trust our work online and want to enforce the power of independent voices, I invite you to make a small contribution.
Every dollar of support is invested back into our journalism to help keep citynews.com.au strong and free.
Thank you,
Ian Meikle, editor
Leave a Reply