Jeff Kennett: Union puppets Jacinta Allan and Anthony Albanese won’t cut CFMEU cancer out of Victoria

Labor is too beholden to the rivers of gold that pour from the trade union movement into its coffers to stop the CFMEU rot that is eating away at Victoria.

The recent disclosures about the activities of the CFMEU and their influence over the Victorian government explain in part the economic disaster befalling the state, and the generational debt that our grandchildren’s children will inherit.

If, as suggested, the federal government appoints KordaMentha to investigate the activities of the CFMEU, you can bet your life that the firm will have no mandate, and no powers to examine the relationship between the CFMEU and state governments, particularly the Victorian government.

The federal government will be out to protect its union support base.

It’s important to note that the rivers of gold pour from the trade union movement into the ALP coffers on a regular basis, in particular from the CFMEU. The rise in authority of the CFMEU spreads well beyond Victoria and into other states.

But we Victorians are the worst off.

The Andrews/ Allan governments have deliberately created this generational debt, and put the interests of a few above the community they were elected to serve. Victoria needs a champion to cut out this cancer in this state.

The Prime Minister will not do so, nor will the Victorian premier. Both are puppets in the hands of the union movement, in particular the CFMEU.

Jeff Kennett says Jacinta Allan has no interest in properly cleaning up the CFMEU mess in Victoria. Picture: Nicki Connolly

The Victorian Opposition cannot do so as the state election is not scheduled until late 2026.

We need action now!

Someone must step up to stop the rot that is eating away at the viability of Victoria and its community.

The only person who can protect our interest and the interest of young Victorians, and those yet to be born, is Opposition leader Peter Dutton.

Only Dutton has the potential ability to commit to a royal commission. Only a royal commission can independently investigate the behaviour of the CFMEU leadership, as well as its dealings and demands of governments and the private sector.

Dutton is the only person in Australia who has the potential capacity to draw a line in the sand – between honourable behaviour and accountability, and intimidation and corruption between the CFMEU and weak, compromised Labor governments.

A royal commission could be announced, planned and established quickly after the federal election, if Dutton is elected.

A royal commission would serve the purpose of all citizens in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

I make this suggestion not for political reasons, but because no one else in authority will stand up for we Victorians, and others who are being crippled by increasing debt and the social penalties associated with that.

Yet still the Allan government continues to borrow money to pay for the most expensive, white elephant of all time – the Suburban Rail Loop.

Why? To provide jobs for the CFMEU. This corruption of the public interest must stop.

No one in Victoria has the means or authority to act with clout.

Peter Dutton would have the opportunity of standing up for Victorians if he were to win the next federal election. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Maybe if the Opposition and the independent members of the Victorian upper house decided the public interest was more important than their own, they could act on our behalf in a meaningful way.

But it seems they will not.

The Allan government will not.

That leaves only Dutton with the opportunity of standing up for Victorians if he were to win the next federal election.

A royal commission would stop the Suburban Rail Loop in its stride.

Our hospitals, schools, roads, research and the production of gas before the lights go out should be the government’s priority.

Of course, a Dutton-appointed royal commission would have benefits in NSW, Qld, and anywhere else where the CFMEU’s behaviour has been unacceptable.

So how can we make this happen?

Every parent should talk to their children. Educate them about the Victoria they are about to inherit.

Explain how the current debt is going to rise for at least a decade, and how it is reducing their opportunities substantially.

Describe how the opportunities to own or rent a home are increasingly becoming a lost dream.

The standard of living for thousands of senior Victorians is already being eroded as they put their holiday homes on the market because of increases in land tax, the failure of the government and the CFMEU’s contribution to those failures.

Businesses are closing because of increases in payroll tax, land taxes, energy prices and workers compensation charges.

So Victoria needs a champion.

Someone who is prepared to stand up to right the wrong. To stand up for our youth, the future of our children, and those unborn.

There is only one person who might be prepared to do so, and that is Dutton.

There can be genuine hope if there are consequences for failure, for corruption and thuggery.

There must be a royal commission, and Victoria, as well as Australia, needs a champion to establish one.

Have a good day.

Originally published as Jeff Kennett: Union puppets Jacinta Allan and Anthony Albanese won’t cut CFMEU cancer out of Victoria