Allegations of illegal coercion to push an Indigenous firm off various government work sites

An Indigenous firm pushed off the Andrews government’s North East Link project says it was being paid half as much as the companies linked to the CFMEU that have replaced it.

An Indigenous firm pushed off the Andrews government’s North East Link project says it was being paid half as much as the companies linked to the CFMEU that have replaced it.

It comes after revelations bureaucrats warned the Deputy Premier of allegedly coercive union tactics on the state government’s major projects.

The opposition on Thursday renewed a pledge to refer the issue to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.

Correspondence seen by the Herald Sun shows authorities on the $18bn toll road were alerted last year to the union’s behaviour on the project.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan has been warned of allegedly coercive union tactics on the state government’s major projects.

They were given details of cases the union allegedly ­delayed or disrupted until subcontractors were replaced with businesses more closely aligned to the union.

Among the firms was a local ­Indigenous labour firm, which had worked on multiple government jobs and had been on the North East Link project for some time.

The business says it was shocked to learn its replacement was earning twice the hourly rate it had received.

The incident is just one in a litany of disputes that have plagued government jobs since the CFMEU last year launched a power grab.

An Indigenous firm was pushed off the Andrews government’s North East Link project.

The Herald Sun first revealed the turf war in which Big Build projects were shut down until firms were replaced with others approved by the union.

Some small firms have been too frightened to go public with their concerns for fear of missing out on work.

NELP chief executive Duncan Elliott said the ­selection of contractors and industrial ­relations were matters for builders.

“We encourage all parties in the construction industry, ­including unions, to work co-operatively together,” he said.

The revelations come after reports Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan was warned about allegations of illegal coercion to push an Indigenous firm off various government work sites.

The opposition referred concerns about the union’s tactics to the state’s corruption watchdog and opposition leader John Pesutto on Thursday confirmed he would also refer the fresh complaints.

Mr Pesutto said it was deeply concerning to read reports of the union “monstering” Indigenous firms out of projects.

Opposition Leader John Pesutto says he is concerned by the reports of union ‘monstering’.

“These are major projects designed to improve the quality of life of Victorian people, but if taxpayer dollars are being used effectively to support criminal behaviour, allegedly, then that is a matter of the greatest concern,” he said.

A government spokesman said the Big Build was leading the nation in Aboriginal ­employment.

“Industrial relations matters are the responsibility of our construction partners and we expect that they work respectfully to resolve any issues that arise,” he said.

“If the leader of the opposition has any actual evidence of any wrongdoing whatsoever he should provide it.”