‘Thuggish’ unions to pay price for law breaches under Morrison government

Rogue construction unions that repeatedly breach laws would be slapped with tough new fines under a re-elected Morrison government.

Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash said the move to slap tougher fines on construction unions that repeatedly breach laws would act as a deterrent for “thuggish unions”

ROGUE construction unions that repeatedly breach laws would be slapped with tough new fines under a re-elected Morrison government.

The maximum penalty the courts can apply would double to up to $444,000 for unions and up to $88,000 for individuals that commit the most serious offences.

These would include unlawful picketing, unlawful ­industrial action and coercion.

Industrial Relations Minister Michaelia Cash said the move would act as a deterrent for “thuggish unions” who saw the current fines as “simply a cost of doing business”.

Senator Cash pointed to a landmark court case against the CFMMEU, brought on by the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), which last week paved the way for maximum penalties to be ­imposed as a deterrent.

She said the High Court ruled unanimously against the militant construction union, noting that it was a “serial ­offender” which had “more than sufficient means to pay any penalty the court might have been disposed to impose”.

“Time and again we have seen shocking behaviour from CFMMEU officials,” Senator Cash said.

“Some 85 per cent of the CFMMEU construction and general divisions’ officials have either been fined for breaching industrial laws, or are currently before the courts.”

The Morrison government is also turning up the heat on Anthony Albanese, accusing the Labor leader of being fully aware of the union’s behaviour over recent years yet doing nothing to stop it.

The opposition is going into the election proposing to scrap the ABCC. It claims the construction watchdog tries to dismantle unions and undermines the pay, conditions and job security of workers in the industry.

The policy has been criticised by the Master Builders Association, which says the watchdog is a safeguard that protects 400,000 small builders and tradies.

“They (Labor) are promising to abolish the ABCC, the strong cop on the beat ensuring that workers in the construction sector are able to go to work each day without the fear of being harassed, intimidated or subjected to violence,” Senator Cash said.

“All Australians pay the price for the bullying, intimidation and lawlessness of the CFMMEU.”

Originally published as ‘Thuggish’ unions to pay price for law breaches under Morrison government