Queensland union boss lashes out at Labor governments over CFMEU probe

Queensland Premier Steven Miles and federal Industrial Relations Minister Tony Burke have urged CFMEU state divisional secretary Michael Ravbar not to fight their bid to appoint independent administrators to his union branch and two others.

As police examine the union’s activities in several states, and it continues to picket Brisbane building sites, Ravbar lashed out at the state and federal Labor governments for taking action against the CFMEU instead of the construction companies he claimed were “the real crooks”.

While Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was visiting Brisbane on Wednesday, Ravbar publicly accused the Labor leader of being “selective about his interest in criminal associations and willingly ignorant about our industry”.

CFMEU state secretary Michael Ravbar organised protests against senior Labor MPs in Queensland over the industrial manslaughter laws.Credit: Glenn Hunt

“Albanese has panicked and soiled himself over some unproven allegations in the media,” Ravbar said in a statement.

Burke has asked the Australian Federal Police to investigate allegations of coercive and intimidatory behaviour by the CFMEU, including on Queensland building sites. Miles has asked Queensland police to liaise with colleagues interstate on any matters of concern.

Ravbar and his branch had previously been fined for unlawful industrial activity, with one judge declaring the CFMEU a “rogue union” with a poor record.

Miles – who had asked Burke to put the Queensland branch in scope with NSW and Victoria – urged Ravbar not to take the “hard way” and oppose administrators.

He said administrators could resolve issues and also address “cultural matters”.

“That will allow the concerns and complaints and grievances that have been aired here in Queensland to be properly considered,” Miles said.

Burke also called on the Queensland branch to support the move, as did Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus, who suggested “this is the best path forward in terms of satisfying their members”.

Albanese told reporters “it is in the interests of every genuine trade unionist that this be cleaned up”.

“Some of the elements that have been involved here have no place, no legitimate place in the union movement or in workplaces,” the prime minister said during a visit to a childcare centre.

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said it was appropriate independent administrators investigate the construction arm of the CFMEU.Credit: Jamila Toderas

While vowing to co-operate with police, Ravbar declared the CFMEU would keep fighting for its interests as it was “owned by the members, not media moguls or spineless politicians”.

The Miles government has sought to distance itself from the CFMEU before the Queensland election, with the state LNP promising to establish a Productivity Commission if it takes power in October.

Queensland-based federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton wants the CFMEU deregistered.

While Miles acknowledged the bid to appoint administrators was unprecedented, he rejected suggestions his government’s Best Practice Industry Conditions, which allow for higher wages on projects worth more than $100 million, contributed to problems in Queensland.

“This is an entirely different matter and relates to industrial relations practices and workplace behaviour that is largely regulated by the Australian government,” Miles said.

The premier said he understood some subcontractors and non-union workers might not want to raise issues out of fear of retribution.