Concrete business on government job wrote to MPs about CFMEU thuggery in 2020

A Victorian government minister has revealed current Treasurer Tim Pallas responded to a concrete company’s claims of CFMEU thuggery in 2020 and referred the matter to the Fair Work watchdog.

A Victorian government minister has brushed off concerns that the Labor government failed to address CFMEU issues as early as March 2020, but at the same time revealed current Treasurer Tim Pallas, former Premier Daniel Andrew’s right-hand man in cabinet, was aware of the matter and had forwarded it to the Fair Work watchdog.

As scrutiny over the Victorian Labor government’s inaction on issues involving the CFMEU intensifies, the Minister for Major Events Steve Dimopoulos defended his party on Wednesday after it was revealed the entire Labor Caucus was included on an email alleging intimidation by the union as early as March 2020.

Mr Dimopoulos addressed the fact that he had been included in the complaint, but brushed it off as an email that was sent to 120 MPs but that he was not aware of the seriousness of the allegations.

“I am aware of the email,” he said.

“But my understanding is that the Minster for Industrial Relations responded, not now, back when the email was sent and it was referred to the Fair Work Ombudsman.”

When pressed further Mr Dimopoulos defended the lack of action from the Government and suggested the real question was “what has the Fair Work Ombudsman done?”

Steve Dimopoulos defended his party after the entire Labor Caucus was included on an email alleging intimation by the CFMEU. Picture: Daniel Pockett

However, Mr Dimopoulos’ statement to journalists has revealed that the Industrial Relations Minister at the time, who currently still holds the portfolio, is Treasurer Tim Pallas, who is considered one of the most senior and longstanding members of the Labor cabinet, under both former Premier Daniel Andrews and current Premier Jacinta Allan.

The revelation that he was aware of the complaint and was the one who took action comes after the Allan government has tried to distance themselves from the ongoing fallout of the CFMEU scandal.

Ms Allan said she had rarely heard complaints but denied knowledge of the issues were widespread before the allegations were made public earlier this month.

However, it’s now been confirmed up to four key Ministers had been aware of issues, including Ms Allan herself.

Mr Pallas was overseas at the time of the scandal breaking. It’s not yet confirmed whether he is back in Victoria.

Tim Pallas was aware of the issue and forwarded it to the Fair Work watchdog. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Opposition leader John Pesutto, who was not Cc’d in the email as he was not in parliament at the time, said it was concerning that Labor members including Mr Dimopoulos didn’t follow up the issue at the time.

“I receive, as you can appreciate, a large volume of correspondence, but my staff are on it.

“I don’t think Minister Dimopoulos’ was right in his answer today. He was a parliamentary secretary at the time. He had a high responsibility, he was a member of the Labor government.”

Mr Pesutto went on to say that all members of the government should have at least sort clarification at the time that the issue was being acted upon.

A concrete contractor working on a government job wrote to every MP in the Victorian parliament, including Labor ministers and former Premier Daniel Andrews, pleading for help with CFMEU “thuggery” and warning of “intimidation” tactics up to four years before the government took action last week.

In an email seen by the Herald Sun sent in March 2020, the desperate business owner claimed his staff were being “intimidated” by union delegates.

“They have now taken to entering our workplace, intimidating the remainder of the staff and ordering them to down tools, and they have been extremely intimidating to myself and my business partner,” the email to parliamentarians alleged.

The business wrote to every Victorian MP, including former Victorian premier Daniel Andrews.

“They are citing safety issues in our workplace but these are completely fabricated and proven so by WorkSafe inspectors who have visited our site to review the ‘suspected’ breaches.”

“Can you please make an effort to end this absolute thuggery so we can do the best we can to keep our business viable. ”The email was sent to Mr Andrews, then Major Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan, and Treasurer Tim Pallas along with the rest of the Labor caucus.

The company has since ceased operating.

The email was posted on the social media on Monday by Liberal MP Bev McArthur, who said it was a clear “indication that the government knew of issues” with the CFMEU, which is one of the most powerful backers of the Australian Labor movement.

The letter by the concrete business

The email comes after several government MPs denied knowledge of concerns.

This includes ministers Steve Dimopoulos, Mary-Anne Thomas and Lizzie Blandthorn, who told media they were not “aware” of allegations of intimidation, corruption and bikie infiltration within the CFMEU until they were aired on 60 Minutes this month.

On Tuesday, Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny admitted that she had received an email about concerns “on a local project” and that she referred the matter to the Fair Work Commission.

Speaking to journalists, Ms Kilkenny declined to add further detail.

“I recall it was an email that had come to me, as I said that the matter was raised and is now being dealt with by the FairWork Commission.

Minister for Planning Sonya Kilkenny revealed she had received an email about concerns on a local project a year ago.

“It was to do with a local project and as a local member of parliament I raised it and its being dealt with by the Fair WorkCommission. I can’t add anything else to that.”

Ms Kilkenny said she “followed the proper processes”, but admitted she did not speak about the issue with then Premier Daniel Andrews or current Premier Jacinta Allan about the matter.

It’s not known if she was referring to the same email that was sent to all parliamentarians

Her admission comes after it was revealed that another minister, Danny Pearson, was alerted to issues including when his staffer attended a fiery meeting in May where 10 contractors raised concerns.

After it was revealed more MPs were aware of concerns, Opposition Leader John Pesutto announced that the Coalition intended to introduce a Private Members Bill when parliament returned next week “to remove bikies and other organised criminal elements from taxpayer-funded worksites.

“It’s something the Allan Government should have done, but won’t do,” he said.

He also encouraged the state to abandon their independent review and instead call a Royal Commission to ensure Victorians could trust the outcome.