God help those still working in nation’s construction sector

If this is what state and federal Labor’s clean-up of the nation’s construction sector looks like, God help those still working in it.

It’s bad enough for expensive equipment on large construction sites, including an Allan government-funded social housing project, to be attacked.

A piling rig targeted in a firebombing in Geelong at the weekend.Credit: Justin McManus

But in the past few weeks, the directors of three construction firms have had their family homes targeted with firebombings or violent confrontation.

This suggests those in the underworld behind the violence and intimidation that for decades have stalked this vital part of our economy still believe they can operate with impunity.

It also highlights the hollowness of our politicians’ tired talking points when challenged about the limits of its reforms to clean up the scandal-tainted construction sector and CFMEU.

“Call the police” is the political response when confronted with evidence that serious crime and corruption remains entrenched in the industry almost a year after the first Building Bad exposé by this masthead and 60 Minutes.

In response, police are yet to lay a single charge or stop the violence.

The crooks know all too well that given law enforcement under-resourcing, the reluctance of victims to become police complainants (exposing their families to even more threats), and the difficulties in Victoria of signing up police informers (by all accounts near impossible post the Lawyer X scandal), they can operate with relative impunity.

The cops must also be held responsible for their own failings. It’s been seven years since detectives commenced their kickbacks investigation into allegedly corrupt union boss Derek Christopher (who was sacked last year). It’s still unresolved.

The police raid on Derek Christopher’s Keilor house in 2019.Credit: Joe Armao

CFMEU administrator Mark Irving, KC, is trying hard but like the police, he’s also fighting with one hand tied behind his back.

His powers can’t be wielded to remove the crooked officials still within CFMEU ranks without the resolution of the High Court challenge cheered on by criminals such as Darren Greenfield, the former NSW CFMEU boss who recently admitted to taking kickbacks, having spent many years and millions of bucks in union members’ money denying it.

Until the High Court issues its ruling, Irving is like David staring down Goliath but without the stone. Large and small construction companies are still trying to figure out who will win this battle.

Some are just as culpable as the rotten union chiefs who got into bed with the gangsters, but without more of an indication that the Labor-sponsored clean-up of the sector will actually work, there is little incentive to take responsibility for their roles in this saga.

The firebombing of family homes provides yet more reasons to stay silent. And provides all the more reason for our political leaders to do more to combat a problem that is now burning in plain sight.

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