Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union state secretary Steve Dargavel to become Victoria’s labour hire licensing commissioner

A UNION boss has been tapped by the Andrews Government to lead its new labour hire industry watchdog.

A UNION boss has been tapped by the Andrews Government to lead its new labour hire industry watchdog.

The Herald Sun can reveal Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union state secretary Steve Dargavel will ­become the state’s first labour hire licensing commissioner.

Mr Dargavel, who is currently overseas, is expected to start in the role next Monday and will have the job for five years.

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The AMWU boss served as a federal Labor MP for 18 months in the late 1990s in the former ACT seat of Fraser.

Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union state secretary Steve Dargavel will ­become the state’s first labour hire licensing commissioner.

Mr Dargavel will head up the Labour Hire Licensing Authority, ­created by the government in the wake of an ­inquiry that ­uncovered widespread abuse and exploitation of workers.

The authority will register all labour hire services, which must be run by “fit and proper persons” and comply with workplace laws.

Those that operate without licences will be punished with heavy fines.

Mr Dargavel will also oversee a team of inspectors to ­investigate reports of noncompliance.

Industrial Relations Minister Natalie Hutchins. Picture: Aaron Francis

Industrial Relations Minister Natalie Hutchins said: “The Andrews Labor Government’s new Labour Hire Licensing Authority will protect some of Victoria’s most vulnerable workers.”

The authority will initially focus on industries including horticulture, cleaning and meat products.

Mr Dargavel, who is from Traralgon, was appointed after a public recruitment process, and the government believes he has the experience and skills required to take on the job.

Mr Dargavel and the AMWU declined to comment yesterday.

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