Senator Sarah Henderson takes aim at Libby Coker over CFMEU donations as Labor hopes to pass administration bill
As the federal government tries to force the disgraced CFMEU into administration, Geelong-based senator Sarah Henderson has again taken aim at Libby Coker over the union’s support of her.
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Sarah Henderson has renewed calls for Labor’s Libby Coker to reveal details regarding CFMEU donations during her campaign to become Corangamite’s voice in Canberra.
The Geelong-based senator raised the matter in parliament last week amid debate on a bill that would force the union’s controversial construction division into administration following a string of allegations that include corruption and standover tactics.
Ms Henderson told the Senate she was “still waiting for answers” that date back to 2020 when reports emerged that Ms Coker had been asked by CFMEU officials to repay “hundreds of thousands of dollars” gifted to her during the 2019 federal campaign.
“Whatever deal has been done between the CFMEU and the member for Corangamite, I was at the other end of that campaign, standing at polling booths dealing with the thugs and the bullies and the aggressors from the CFMEU,” Ms Henderson said.
“And for those of us who’ve had to face this in a marginal seat campaign, it is a disgrace.”
CFMEU Victorian boss John Setka resigned last month over the union’s alleged links to criminal organisations, including outlaw bikie gangs.
Ms Coker has never confirmed how much she received from the CFMEU, nor whether she was asked to repay the money after the CFMEU became irate over her defection from its Industrial Left faction to the Socialist Left.
She defeated Ms Henderson by 1.1 per cent – or just 2170 votes – in 2019 and comfortably held off former Geelong mayor Stephanie Asher at the 2022 election.
If Ms Coker wins again in 2025, she will become the first Labor member to twice retain the seat.
Ms Henderson said Ms Coker needed to come clean on her “grubby deal” with the CFMEU.
“Every dollar Ms Coker received from this rogue union must be disclosed and repaid,” she said.
“I condemn Ms Coker who worked hand in glove with the CFMEU to get elected.
“Ms Coker took the money, rather than having the moral courage to call out the CFMEU’s standover tactics and continuing breaches of the law.”
The Coalition, alongside the Greens, blocked the CFMEU administration bill on Thursday, but Prime Minister Anthony Albanese remains confident the bill will pass this week.
“It’s extraordinary that the Liberals and Greens twice last week blocked this legislation, but I’m confident that we will be able to get it through,” he said.
A spokesman for Ms Coker said the MP had met her declaration obligations.
“Ms Coker has always acted with integrity, and with the best interests of her electorate at heart,” the spokesman said.
“The government is taking the strongest action possible to clean up the construction industry through legislation to appoint an administrator.
“We want to see the construction sector cleared up and, to date, the Liberals and Greens have refused to back us.”
The CFMEU, which was contacted for comment, recently abandoned its efforts to take over the City of Greater Geelong’s blue collar workforce.
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