Coalition promises AFP-led taskforce to investigate CFMEU corruption allegations

The Coalition has called for a federal police taskforce to investigate allegations of corruption and crime made against the scandal-ridden union.

The Coalition has promised to implement a federal taskforce to investigate ongoing criminal allegations linked to the CFMEU, with Peter Dutton comparing the controversial construction union to “the mafia”.

The proposed unit was announced alongside a suite of measures to curb the militant union, which the Albanese government forced into administration last August after media reports of alleged corruption.

The taskforce would be led by the Australian Federal Police and include Commonwealth agencies the Australian Taxation Office and the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission as well as state and territory police.

The Coalition has called for an AFP-led taskforce to combat allegations of corruption at the CFMEU. Picture: NewsWire/ Glen Campbell

The Opposition Leader said allegations of criminal infiltration, standover tactics, bullying and corruption at the CFMEU was the “biggest corruption scandal in our country”.

He said he wanted the union to be deregistered.

“What we saw in the United States, with the mafia in control and the Teamsters (union) and the relationship that existed there, it’s essentially been adopted by crime figures here in Australia,” he said.

“The outlaw motorcycle gang members are intertwined with members of the CFMEU,” he alleged.

Mr Dutton said he would also write to Anthony Albanese calling for drafting resources to introduce and pass legislation when parliament returns for the final sitting week before the election.

The proposed laws would give police greater powers to target the “kingpins and bosses” who Mr Dutton alleges “engage in a pattern of criminal behaviour,” and be based on the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organisations (RICO) laws operating in the US.

Shadow Attorney-General Michaelia Cash said current laws only allowed authorities to target individuals implicated in the crime.

She said the Coalition plan would “smash organised crime right at its very heart”.

“And as we all know, when it comes to kingpins, when it comes to bosses of organised crime, they often don’t get their hands dirty,” she said.

Senator Cash also reiterated the Coalition’s calls for the union to be deregistered, reinstate dudded watchdog Australian Building and Construction Commission, and increase penalties in the Fair Work Act.

The tough action follows new allegations of harassment and violence against women by union representatives detailed by 60 Minutes.

The program also accused the Victorian Labor government of covering up the ongoing infiltration of organised crime on CFMEU work sites linked to the state’s Big Build infrastructure scheme.

Opposition Peter Dutton, speaking at a joint press conference with Michaelia Cash and James Paterson, called for the deregistration of the CFMEU. Picture: NewsWire / David Geraghty

In a statement to 60 Minutes, the union said it “has had limited resources” to deal with the issues raised on the program.

“If we are serious about changing culture and supporting women, we, the male leaders of this union, must stand up and make it an issue for all of us. As long as I am at this union, I will commit myself to fighting for equality, access and the safety of women,” the spokesman said.

”Construction workers own this union. They are ultimately the victims of criminality and corruption within the industry.

“The union supports any allegations of criminality being reported to the police.”

Victoria Police have established Operation Hawk to investigate the allegations, with Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan supporting the decision.

Mr Dutton alleged the corruption went to the “heart of the Albanese government,” with the union previously donating millions to state and federal branches, before they were banned in July 2024.

“There are builders who are intimidated and feel that they can’t provide information to the police because they feel that they are physically threatened by these outlaw motorcycle gangs,” Mr Dutton alleged.

“Members who are doing the enforcement activities, who are (allegedly) the hired muscle for the CFMEU.”

He alleged Australia is “wasting billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money through this corrupt model, which is sanctioned by Anthony Albanese, the Prime Minister has no interest in clearing it up, because he is the financial beneficiary.”

Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt has said he will refer the allegations to the police for further investigation, calling the claims “appalling and “unacceptable”.

Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt said he would refer the allegations made on the program to police. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Senator Watt has also notified the government’s hand-picked administrator Mark Irving, who will investigate and “take action against any serving CFMEU organisers or delegates implicated in these reports”.

“As I have said before, it is clear these issues go well beyond the union – they involve criminal gangs & some labour hire firms/construction businesses,” Senator Watt shared on X. “We’ve begun change, but we must continue tackling corruption, criminality and violence across the whole construction industry.”

Minister for Women Katy Gallagher also condemned the allegations made in the reports.

“We all understand that violence against women in this country is at crisis levels, but to see it play out on prime time TV like that, in footage like that, is extremely distressing for everybody involved and for people who have suffered violence, either domestic, family, or sexual violence,” she said.

“I imagine last night was very, very difficult watching for them. I’ve made some comments about that. I’ve spoken to Minister Watt. He’s spoken to the Administrator.”

While industry body Master Builders only supports deregistering the union as a last resort, it backed the legislative measures put forward by the Coalition.

“Master Builders supports the work of (Mr Irving) in uncovering some of this behaviour but the deeply rooted problems in certain areas of the industry go beyond his remit and require further government action,” said chief executive Denita Wawn.

”To give the administrator the best chance of success, we urge all parties and crossbenchers to pass legislation to tackle the law-and-order problems as soon as practically possible.”