Police to probe vision of white powder and booze in CFMEU office on Metro tunnel project

CFMEU say vision of white powder and booze in a Metro Tunnel office used by the union was a set up, as police vowed their probe would leave “no stone unturned”.

Police are assessing vision of white powder and booze filmed in a Metro Tunnel office used by the CFMEU amid claims by the militant union that it was set up.

The Andrews Government said Victoria Police would leave “no stone unturned” in relation to the matter, which has set off alarm bells over safety in the workplace.

Footage leaked to the Herald Sun this week shows lines of powder on a mirror with open alcohol cans — both banned on site — in an office of the $13.7 billion project.

Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll said the government had referred the matter to police and there was “no excuse whatsoever for drugs and alcohol in any workplace”.

“I know Victoria Police will be leaving no stone unturned to get to the bottom of it,” he said.

“We want everyone to get to work and come home safe, and while they’re at work, to do the best job they can.”

The CFMEU has claimed it is the victim of a hit job, and that someone could have broken into their office and planted material before the scene was filmed.

Another source said the project was in damage control on Thursday, with staff told not to engage with media as police begin to probe the situation.

A spokeswoman for Victoria Police said the vision of “white powder and alcohol” had been reported “and is currently being assessed”.

White powder on a mirror and open alcohol cans were filmed in an office used by the CFMEU.

The images were filmed at the new CBD North station.

The images were filmed at the new CBD North station.

The footage was taken through a window from outside the locked office, which is used by CFMEU workplace delegates and health and safety representatives.

There are no clues as to who ingested the powder or the booze, but the person who filmed the scene said it looked like people had been having “drinks and lines”.

“These people must have been fried. You would not be OK to leave that on the table, and lock the door and leave,” that insider said.

The union said it had not been aware of the film clip until contacted, but would co-operate with any probe.

“The union would assist any investigation into this ­incident,” a spokesman said.

Drugs and alcohol are banned from Metro Tunnel sites given the serious danger workers would pose if they were under the influence.

Rail Projects Victoria chief executive Evan Tattersall said both RPV and the consortium of contractors “take any allegation of drug-taking or alcohol use at Metro Tunnel project sites with the utmost seriousness”.

“The matter will be ­referred to Victoria Police for investigation,” he said.

A government spokeswoman also said the issue would be referred to police and “we expect all worksites to be safe”.

The footage was taken through a window from outside the locked office.

In the video, an open beer can and a cider can are shown next to a plastic card and remnants of white powder on a mirror, as well as the type of miniature plastic bag that can hold drugs.

Behind the open alcohol is a tub of clothing used for an annual charity fundraiser run by the union, while CFMEU paraphernalia is plastered across the office.

The explosive leaked images come at a tumultuous time for the union, which was forced to barricade its Elizabeth St office from violent anti-vaccination protesters, including its own members, last month.

That confrontation, sparked by the union’s stance on compulsory vaccines for construction workers, has led to a campaign of payback by the union which is targeting rioting members.

The Metro Tunnel project, which will connect South Yarra to Kensington via a 9km rail tunnel and five new underground stations, has hit major milestones and is set to open early in 2025 despite a $2.74bn budget blowout.

However, tensions on site have risen lately, with confrontations between rival union officials revealed by the Herald Sun.

This led to an investigation into a CFMEU official who allegedly used the racist phrase “Uncle Tom” to a rival Australian Workers’ Union official, and a representative of the project builder being accused of offering “under the table” bribes during the saga.

Victorian CFMEU state secretary John Setka addresses a crowd. Picture: David Crosling

One project source said ­industrial thuggery had been rife on the project, and the ­alleged appearance of drugs and alcohol on site were symptomatic of the CFMEU believing it was invincible.

The project, which is being built by a consortium of Lendlease, John Holland, Bouygues Construction, John Laing and Capella Capital, has finished major tunnelling and is moving into station fit-outs and will lay tracks in the new year.

Random drug testing is used, although project workers said there was a “two strikes” policy and workers can also administer their own tests from kits supplied on the tunnel worksites.

“There’s a vending machine for people who can do swabs themselves,” an insider said.

Rail Projects Victoria did not provide answers on whether there had been any drug-test fails or penalties on the project, but said “workers are aware that the project will not tolerate drug-taking or ­alcohol use on site”.