Coalition threat to deregister construction union

In a bad week for the CFMMEU, a new threat to its existence looms even as one of its top Victorian officials defies Labor over calls to step down.

THE militant construction union faces the threat of deregistration as a senior Coalition minister confirmed the Government will resurrect stalled plans to crack down on organisations that repeatedly break the law.

It follows calls for CFMMEU boss Michael Ravbar to join Victorian John Setka in being expelled from the ALP.

Proposed legislation which would allow a court to deregister a union, or union official, which repeatedly break industrial laws were held up in the previous Parliament.

Cabinet Minister Angus Taylor confirmed the government will seek to pass laws to enable unions which repeatedly break the law to be deregistered. Picture: Kym Smith

But Cabinet Minister Angus Taylor confirmed the Government would use the new numbers in the Senate in a renewed bid to get the controversial laws through.

“The right answer on the CFMMEU is that Labor severs ties with them today and they can do it,” Mr Taylor said.

“We did bring the ensuring integrity Bill to the Parliament before the election, Labor has opposed it.

“We will bring it forward again. The right answer here is for Labor, for (Opposition leader) Anthony Albanese to work with us to put this legislation through the Parliament.”

The Government now only needs four out of six crossbenchers in the Senate to pass legislation.

Cory Bernardi is expected to support the bill, Centre Alliance have stated they could back it with some changes, while Jacqui Lambie, who is expected to be elected, has previously called for the CFMMEU to be deregistered.

It followed a press conference in which Victorian CFMMEU boss John Setka defied calls from Labor to step down as the union boss.

CFMMEU Secretary John Setka and his wife Emma Walters speak to the media during a press conference at the Electrical Trades Union building in Melbourne. Picture: AAP Image/Stefan Postles

Controversy has surrounded Mr Setka this week after comments he reportedly made at a union meeting that Rosie Batty’s domestic violence advocacy had taken away men’s rights. Mr Setka denied he denigrated Ms Batty, saying he only had respect for her.

“Everyone at that meeting knows that what has been reported is not what I said and the member who leaked these false allegations, for nothing more than political gain, should be the one who hangs their head in shame,” he said.

“I don’t answer to the ALP. They don’t pay my wages,” Mr Setka said.