Labor backs keeping CFMEU in administration, deepening internal party split
Labor’s decision to maintain CFMEU administration threatens to tear the party apart as factional warfare erupts over union control and democratic rights.
Labor has endorsed a motion to keep the CFMEU in administration, deepening internal party tensions after a controversial walkout at the party’s state conference just two weeks ago.
The decision could sharpen divisions between Labor MPs and right-faction delegates, and threatens to inflame relations with the Electrical Trades Union which last month moved at the Labor state conference for the CFMEU to be “returned to democratic control as soon as possible”.
The motion caused a walk out from the party’s Australian Workers’ Union Right faction.
Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie on Tuesday challenged Labor MPs to declare if they supported the ETU’s motion.
“They should be named, and they ought to be shamed,” he said.
“I dare say back the Right of the Labor Party who are backing us in getting rid of this bad culture of the CFMEU.”
Opposition Leader Steven Miles hit back, saying Labor would continue to support the CFMEU administration for as long as it was necessary.
“If the Deputy Premier is suggesting the CFMEU should never be returned to its members, that is an outrageous extremist position, which we do not support,” he said.
The stoush comes after The Courier-Mail revealed leaked documents showing Left-faction MPs Mick de Brenni and Mark Bailey were aware of the legal risks, cost blowouts and disruption posed by the BPIC policy, but pressed ahead regardless.
Industry heads and the AWU have argued the policy was designed to help the CFMEU expand its industrial reach, particularly in civil construction.
Mr Bailey was ejected from the chamber on Tuesday before the vote and did not speak, which Mr Bleijie branded convenient.
Shadow treasurer Shannon Fentiman said Labor had “furious support” for the administration laws, while Police Minister Dan Purdie accused former ministers of changing trespass laws to protect CFMEU officials from prosecution.
“Late night calls from those officials were made to senior ministers, and maybe some of those phone records might come out this commission of inquiry (into the CFMEU),” he said.
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Originally published as Labor backs keeping CFMEU in administration, deepening internal party split
