SA government throws support behind calls to dissolve Victorian control of South Australia’s branch of the CFMEU

Moves to seize control of the SA branch of the CFMEU from its disgraced Victorian counterpart are growing with the state government throwing in its support.

Former South Australian CFMEU state secretary Aaron Cartledge has called on the government to support the return of a South Australian appointed CFMEU Secretary. Photo: Roy VanDerVegt

Moves to seize control of the South Australian branch of the CFMEU from its disgraced Victorian counterpart have been backed by the South Australian government.

Industrial Relations Minister Kyam Maher said the state government supported the idea as it waited for the federal government to appoint an external administrator to “clean up the union”.

“The South Australian government hopes to see an independent SA branch back on its own two feet as soon as possible,” he said.

“With responsible local leadership who understand the needs of our construction industry and will stand up for South Australian workers.”

Industrial Relations Minister Kyam Maher said the state government supported the return of a South Australian elected CFMEU secretary. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Naomi Jellicoe

It comes after former South Australian CFMEU state secretary Aaron Cartledge – who was ousted by John Setka in June 2018 – made public calls for the return of a South Australian appointed secretary serving local union members’ interests.

Mr Cartledge hoped the federally appointed external administrator could use his powers to create a pathway to restore the union’s autonomy, backed by support from both the state and federal governments.

“Certainly, our premier can play a major role,” he said.

“He’s already shown the willingness to stand up to Victorian leadership and I believe … he could talk to his colleagues at a federal level to advocate the best position for South Australia in this equation.

“An administrator could direct that their recommendation is to give autonomy to the South Australian branch, to cut it free of Victorian oversight.

“There are enough members in this state, and enough income being generated that the South Australian branch has got the ability to stand on its own.”

Master Builders SA chief executive Will Frogley also supported a return to an independent SA brach.

“South Australian construction workers deserve not only professional representation from a respected union that actually follows the law, they deserve to be represented by people with some pride in South Australia,” he said.

“The Victorian CFMEU’s cultural rot is so deep that it’s foolish to think anything will change without a complete clean out.

While the calls for an independent SA branch continue, the CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith has already stated the national office was committed to returning the South Australian branch to local leadership “at some point”.

However, Mr Smith said it was difficult to put a timeline on it.

Opposition Leader David Speirs said the South Australian construction industry had changed forever when John Setka took over the local branch of the CFMEU.

“We know SA Labor were happy to take a six-figure donation from John Setka’s CFMEU to help them get elected at the 2022 State Election,” he said.

“Peter Malinauskas has done absolutely nothing to stop John Setka’s CFMEU from rolling into town and it will be South Australians who suffer as a result.”