‘Appalling and disgraceful’: Judge blasts ‘rogue union’ and its boss for bad behaviour

A judge has branded the powerful CFMEU a ‘rogue union’ and has blasted its Queensland boss for ”pointlessly flouting” his obligations under the law.

The CFMEU has been branded a “rogue union” unabashed by its bad behaviour and its boss blasted as ”pointlessly flouting” his obligations under the law by a Federal Circuit Court judge in a scathing ruling handed down on Thursday.

The union has been ordered to pay almost $120,000 in fines and CFMEU Queensland boss Michael Ravbar more than $10,000 for breaching right of entry rules on the QPAC upgrade in November 2020.

But CFMEU assistant secretary blasted the decision as “gratuitous and over the top” and accused the judge of “editorialising”.

The court found that in November 2020, the union, Mr Ravbar and another official Andrew Blakely breached right of entry laws at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) upgrade construction site.

CFMEU Queensland boss Michael Ravbar. Picture: Liam Kidston

Breaches under the Fair Work Act related to not giving 24 hours notice of entry, failing to comply with the site’s occupational health and safety requirements, remaining onsite unlawfully and bringing up to a dozen people on site who were not workers and had not been inducted.

Judge Gregory Egan said the union had an “appalling and disgraceful record” of breaking the industrial laws and continued to do so “unabashed and unashamed”.

“There can be no doubt that the CFMMEU is a rogue union untroubled by its ongoing bad behaviour. It seems that it prides itself on its recidivism,” he said.

He also criticised Mr Ravbar for the actions, saying it was significant that he was the national vice-president and state secretary of the union at the time the breaches took place.

“He was well aware of the need for compliance by him with provisions of the (Fair Work Act), but he chose to pointlessly flout his obligation to do so,” Mr Egan said.

CFMEU assistant secretary Jade Ingham said the union would be appealing the decision.

CFMEU members at an unrelated Brisbane protest. Picture: Annette Dew

“The decision is outrageous and completely over the top, and made even worse by gratuitous editorialising from the presiding judge,” Mr Ingham said.

“Lendlease had authorised the EBA meeting but had not informed workers of the venue. As a result the state secretary left the site a few minutes later than the agreed time.”

Construction watchdog Australian Building and Construction Commissioner boss Stephan McBurney said courts had repeatedly criticised the union’s behaviour but it showed no signs of changing.

“Mr Ravbar’s involvement demonstrates that the law breaking is carried out with the knowledge, endorsement and active participation of the most senior officials in the CFMMEU,” Mr McBurney said.

Mr Blakely was also fined $7992 for his involvement, with the total fine imposed reduced as he may have been “acting under the instruction or influence” of Mr Ravbar.