A sacked senior CFMEU official has launched a High Court challenge to the Albanese government’s laws that forced the construction division into administration.

Former CFMEU national president and former Queensland assistant secretary Jade Ingham said the special leave application was filed today, arguing the laws were “unconstitutional and undemocratic”.

The challenge will be paid for by a crowdfunding effort led by a company set up by Ingham and ex-secretary Michael Ravbar called Your Union, Your Choice.

“Members are furious about their union being taken away from them,” he said. “Their union has been stolen from them.”

He accused Labor of “active treachery and class warfare against the working class in this country from the state and federal governments”.

“Union bashing never worked for the Tories, so why did Labor think it would work for them? CFMEU members will have their voices heard.”