May
Building union turns to actors’ rep to try to reverse exodus
The CFMEU administrator has appointed the former head of the actors’ union to turn around a dramatic decline in membership at the union’s key power base.
Disgraced CFMEU boss’ boast is ‘complete rubbish’: Hutchinson
Scott Hutchinson says any suggestion Cbus or its property business would pressure his company over contracts is “complete rubbish”.
CFMEU’s power base threatened as membership plunges
Leaked data shows membership in the construction union’s second-biggest branch has fallen by almost 17 per cent in the year to March.
‘Let’s make some money together’: Inside the CFMEU’s bribery scandal
Sometimes it was a foot tap, other times a little kick, but either way cash was passed under the table to the union boss.
Report casts doubt on Queensland plan to shrink project costs
The state government’s promise to chip away at state debt through savings made from scrapping union-friendly entitlements has been contested by a new report.
‘Tough decision’: CFMEU national boss steps down in shock move
Zach Smith, one of the last elected leaders at the union, has stepped down, saying he won’t take responsibility for decisions “that are not mine”.
CFMEU administrator takes over ACT after membership dive
The CFMEU’s ACT branch has been placed into full administration and its secretary demoted in a shock move responding to a sharp fall in membership.
Union bosses mark labour’s big day, by celebrating corrupt CFMEU chief
Senior union officials have unrepentantly backed ‘fearless’ CFMEU boss Darren Greenfield just days after he pleaded guilty to charges of taking bribes from a boss.
April
Revealed: The mounting cost of cleaning up the CFMEU
The administrator of the CFMEU has spent more than $4 million in seven months – mostly on salaries – but the figures have not been reported to parliament as required.
How Darren Greenfield played the union movement for fools
Some union officials turned a blind eye to corruption claims against CFMEU NSW boss Darren Greenfield for years. Now he’s pleaded guilty and members are out of pocket almost $1 million.
Former CFMEU leaders plead guilty to corruption
The former heads of the union’s NSW branch have admitted to taking thousands of dollars in bribes from an employer in return for preferential union treatment.
CFMEU bribery case breakthrough: leaders flag possible guilty pleas
The lawyer for Darren and Michael Greenfield told a court there had been a “resolution” to the long-running case alleging they took bribes from a construction company.
Union watchdog investigating CFMEU NSW and SA leadership
The Fair Work Commission has launched investigations into allegations of credit card misuse, unapproved salary increases and the transfer of $4 million in members’ money.
Deposed CFMEU official rallies union to vote for Dutton
The Coalition’s promise to deregister the union’s construction division isn’t enough to stop this CFMEU powerbroker preferencing Labor last.
A Trump-proof Australia needs productive industrial relations
The lack of a real election contest over greater workplace flexibility will condemn Australia to lower productivity and leave the nation less protected.
March
Judge slams CFMEU administrator for resisting coercion probe
A CFMEU official allegedly threatened one owner on the Monash Freeway project that he would take his soul and rip his head off.
Mining’s promising future could come under union siege
At the heart of any Labor government lies the obligation to serve the interests of their parent company, the union movement, before the national interest.
Financial Review wins Gold Quill award
The Australian Financial Review’s David Marin-Guzman took out Victoria’s top journalism prize for his work on the Building Bad investigation.
Inside the rollercoaster week in Victorian politics
Crime, the CFMEU, cost blowout fears on the Suburban Rail Loop and a new stoush with the top cop. These stories show why Premier Jacinta Allan may think a week is a long time in Victorian politics.
Why bikies are laughing louder at Setka than Packer did over Bond
The criminal enterprises in Australia that connect the underworld, the CFMEU and casinos echo the world of James Bond, but the good guys don’t always triumph.