The CFMEU boss, a wad of cash and a hidden camera: New pictures reveal covert police operation

A police camera hidden in the ceiling of the CFMEU’s Sydney office allegedly captured NSW construction union boss Darren Greenfield being passed a $5000 bundle of cash as part of a suspected kickback deal involving money traded for union backing.

The vision was filmed on June 19, 2020, and appears to show a building company owner seeking union support reach into his pocket and remove a wad of cash he then passes to Greenfield under the table.

About 10 minutes later, the camera captured images of Greenfield allegedly placing the wad in his office desk drawer.

Images show Darren Greenfield allegedly taking a wad of cash under a table (left) and then putting it in an office drawer (right).Credit:

The vision was filmed as part of a joint NSW Police and Australian Federal Police operation targeting Greenfield. The operation led to him being charged with corruption offences in September 2021. His son, Michael Greenfield, the NSW CFMEU’s assistant secretary, was also charged.

While many leaders in the union movement anticipated Greenfield would step aside as the CFMEU’s NSW secretary when he was charged with serious corruption offences – which are still before the court system and are yet to be tested before a jury – he refused to do so and has continued to wield considerable industrial power in the state.

CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith, who on Monday said he would lead the clean-up of the Victorian CFMEU branch after placing it into administration, has repeatedly stood by Greenfield, claiming it was appropriate that a union boss facing serious criminal charges should retain his leadership role.

Darren Greenfield after being bailed in September 2021.Credit: Rhett Wyman

He also noted Greenfield retained the backing of the union’s NSW branch and had also denied any wrongdoing. “He has got the support of his membership and the support of the branch management committee in that state,” he said.

Smith’s fierce backing of Greenfield contrasts with the demand of ACTU secretary Sally McManus that all union officials facing credible allegations of corruption stand aside. CFMEU manufacturing division assistant secretary Leo Skourdoumbis has also demanded Greenfield stand down as secretary until his case is concluded.

“The charges are serious and people in positions of leadership, whether they’re in the trade union movement or even in the corporate world, when those situations arise [involving criminal charges] should not continue to hold and exercise power,” he said.

NSW Premier Chris Minns also said on Monday that Greenfield should quit. “Clearly, these are very serious charges before the courts; they couldn’t be more serious and it’s hard to see how he can continue in that role while facing serious charges before the court. So, I think he should go,” he said.

There is no suggestion that Greenfield is guilty, only that it is unusual for the leader of an organisation to stay in the role after being charged with corruption.

On Wednesday morning, Minns announced the CFMEU’s affiliation with the NSW Labor Party would be suspended and any political donations stopped in response to the “appalling” allegations.

In Victoria, fresh allegations have emerged about CFMEU assistant secretary Derek Christopher, who is moving to replace John Setka as leader of the union’s most powerful branch.

On Monday, a major investigation by this masthead, The Australian Financial Review and 60 Minutes revealed Christopher had received an estimated $200,000 in free labour and supplies from major building companies in 2017 and remained the subject of an ongoing police corruption probe.

It was also reported on Monday that police phone taps and listening device recordings had captured evidence suggesting Christopher had arranged for free labour and supplies from major building firms with CFMEU agreements and also used CFMEU delegates on commercial building sites to assist with his home renovation.

This masthead can now reveal that after Christopher first learnt he was the subject of a police corruption investigation, he held a crisis meeting with Setka in the union’s office. According to a confidential source with first-hand knowledge of the pair’s discussion, Christopher was close to tears as he told Setka he had taken freebies from builders and was worried about being charged with criminal offences.

The source said a panicked Christopher told Setka that he was “f---ed” and that “they [the police] have been watching me” and that Setka responded by telling Christopher he needed to fight the police investigation with the union’s backing.

It can also be confirmed that the police investigation into Christopher has been delayed because of legal issues involving the use of certain covert police powers. Information gathered by detectives via the application of special police powers must be used carefully, or it risks contaminating future charges.

Last week, Victoria Police released a statement confirming that a joint federal and state police inquiry, codenamed Operation Pantile, into Christopher remained “active and ongoing”.

Police also said they had prepared a brief of evidence and were assessing if Christopher’s alleged receipt of free labour and supplies – if proven before a jury – constituted a breach of the criminal code.

“The brief of evidence is currently with the OPP [Office of Public Prosecutions],” the police statement said.

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