Cbus’ chairman Wayne Swan defended CFMEU-appointee Paddy Crumlin as qualified to join the board overseeing its $94 billion in retirement savings, saying the union boss had extensive experience running superannuation funds from his time at another fund.

Former Labor federal treasurer Mr Swan said it was unfair to judge Mr Crumlin’s suitability to govern the construction industry super giant on his past performance as the chair of Maritime Super, a fund the regulator once deemed the worst in the country.