CFMEU centre of legal action over alleged workplace breaches at Norwood’s Como development
The state’s construction union is accused of acting illegally in Adelaide’s east, but its secretary fired back and denied the claims.
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The state’s construction union is again under fire over alleged workplace breaches just months after copping a record penalty for the abuse of workers at Adelaide Airport.
The Australian Building and Construction Commission has filed Federal Court action against the CFMEU and SA official Travis Brook alleging he ignored site rules and safety directions at the Como construction site at Norwood.
The union’s SA branch secretary Andrew Sutherland has accused the ABCC of being irrelevant and “out of touch” with reality.
In a statement of claim, the ABCC alleges that on December 15 last year Mr Brook failed to report to the site office and “falsely” claimed to have used a QR code check-in.
The claim also alleges that Mr Brook refused to undertake a site induction, entered an exclusion zone and contravened a ban on mobile phone use.
The site’s safety adviser warned Mr Brook that he had walked into a live traffic zone, the ABCC alleges in its statement of claim.
It also alleges Mr Brook ignored the warning and entered a second exclusion zone.
The ABCC is alleging Mr Brook and the union contravened the Fair Work Act. They could face maximum penalties of $13,320 and $66,600 respectively if found guilty.
Mr Sutherland said the ABCC is a “discredit regulator” who was “trying to become relevant” before the federal election.
“The allegations brought by the ABCC, which include alleging that using a mobile phone is illegal and should result in a maximum fine, show just how out of touch with reality the ABCC is...,” he said.
He said the ABCC should be abolished and laws in SA “improved ... to give safety permit holders the same rights they have in other states”.
Como is a $110m mixed-use redevelopment of the existing Coles shopping centre precinct to include a new supermarket, apartments, shops and offices.
In August the union copped a record $428,250 in penalties penalty for breaches of workplace laws at the Adelaide Airport.
The Federal Court found the union and six officials refused to show right-of-entry permits, ignored directions and bullied workers during the $165m expansion of the airport in 2019.
The court heard an employee of building firm Watpac was told to “go do your your f***king colouring in books you c***”.
The CFMEU and Mr Brooks are yet to file a defence.
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