Boyer rejects claim Peter Russell’s Construction Industry Training Board role is election payback

A $15,000 role for a CFMEU lawyer has sparked claims the state government is paying back debts for major union donations to its election funds.

The state government has denied that it appointed a CFMEU official to a key board as payback for a $125,000 election donation to Labor.

The Construction Industry Training Board is made up of employer and union representatives, the latest being CFMEU lawyer Peter Russell, who will be paid $15,000 each year in the role.

A report in The Australian suggested that the $15,000, which under CFMEU rules must be transferred to the union, might then be paid back to the Labor Party.

The appointment follows the removal of Aaron Cartledge from the board. He now runs an employer consultancy but was previously also a secretary of the CFMEU.

Training Minister Blair Boyer said the board must by law have a representative of employees in the building and construction industry because of safety issues.

“Peter has considerable board and director-level experience, including joining the SA Portable Long Service Leave Board in February 2021 and becoming a director of the South Australian Building Industry Redundancy Scheme Trust in 2020,’’ he said.

Education Minister Blair Boyer. Picture: Tom Huntley

CFMEU lawyer Peter Russell, right, campaigning with Ash the Ambo during the 2022 SA election. Source: Facebook

“He is a candidate of merit with more than 10 years’ experience representing workers in the construction industry.”

The latest controversy comes amid building industry concerns over the prospect of increased union militancy and costs under the John Setka-led takeover of the SA branch of the CFMEU.

But state CFMEU representative Andrew Sutherland said there was nothing unusual about the appointment of Mr Russell.

“CITB is an industry board. Historically its board contained union representatives and employer representatives,’’ he said.

“The Marshall Government played politics with the board to the detriment of the training in the industry by removing all unions from the board.

“Mr Russell was specifically appointed to the board as an employee representative.

“Also appointed to the 10-person board were employer representatives from the Master Builders Association, the Civil Contractors Federation, the Housing Industry Association, the Master Plumbers and the District Council of Barunga West.

“Aaron Cartledge runs an employer consultancy and has consulted to the MBA in recent times.

“His non-selection to the board is a matter for the minister.”

The CITB chair is John Chapman, a former chief of staff to Liberal Premier John Olsen.

“Given the new appointments, I am very happy with how collaboratively the board has been working so far in the interests of the industry,’’ he said on Saturday.

“The CITB has a range of board members with skills and experience that complement their advocacy for the industry.

“It’s a significant time to be part of the CITB as we address skills shortages across our industry to help those get the skills they need for a rewarding career.”

Originally published as Boyer rejects claim Peter Russell’s Construction Industry Training Board role is election payback