State Government appoints former union boss Aaron Cartledge to construction board four years after Ministers criticised his conduct
A hypocrisy row has hit a controversial taxpayer-funded board after the State Government appointed a former union leader that Ministers heavily criticised while in opposition as “dishonourable”.
SA News
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A former construction union leader, whom Liberal MPs heavily criticised while in opposition, has been appointed to a controversial taxpayer-funded board.
Government documents show Aaron Cartledge last month joined the Construction, Industry and Training Board for a two-year term.
Mr Cartledge’s $11,352-a-year appointment, authorised by Governor Hieu Van Le on command from Premier Steven Marshall, came four years after the Liberal opposition criticised his “dishonourable” building-site conduct.
Labor has accused the government of hypocrisy.
The new row follows a series of lavish spending controversies that have engulfed the organisation, including spending $47,000 on an anniversary dinner for 110 people in October 2018.
Then opposition wastewatch spokesman, now embattled Transport Minister Stephan Knoll – himself under fire over his expenses – in 2016 attacked Mr Cartledge’s role as Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union state secretary.
“No matter how many times Aaron Cartledge is found guilty of illegal behaviour on South Australian construction sites, he cannot be sacked,” Mr Knoll said.
“This is a man who … has presided over more than $1m of fines over the illegal behaviour of him and his officers.
“These illegal behaviours lead to increased costs borne by SA taxpayers.”
The current Labor Opposition, which had appointed Mr Cartledge to several taxpayer-funded boards including the CITB, accused the Liberals of double standards.
“In opposition, Stephan Knoll repeatedly slammed the fact that Aaron Cartledge was on government boards and called for him to be removed from all of them,” Labor MLC Clare Scriven said.
“Yet Minister Knoll and the Marshall Liberal government are now happy to see Mr Cartledge appointed to the CITB. This shows remarkable hypocrisy and double standards.”
Innovation and Skills Minister David Pisoni said Mr Cartledge’s appointment was on merit.
Mr Cartledge, who fell victim to a CFMEU takeover last year, is a consultant with the Master Builders Association.
He said he was “thrilled” to be reappointed to the CITB but declined to comment further.