CFMEU’s ex-NSW secretary Darren Greenfield accused of monitoring staff via CCTV
CFMEU administrator Mark Irving has called for a Fair Work probe into Darren Greenfield, who is accused of using his mobile to access live footage inside the union’s Sydney building.
CFMEU administrator Mark Irving has called for a Fair Work probe into the union’s former NSW secretary Darren Greenfield for undermining the administration, alleging he had accessed CCTV footage inside the union’s Sydney building to monitor staff, threatened people if they co-operated with the administration and caused the removal of union delegates not loyal to him.
Mr Irving has written to Fair Work Commission general manager Murray Furlong seeking the investigation into Mr Greenfield under new anti-avoidance laws that carry threats of fines of up to $187,000 or a maximum two years’ imprisonment for anyone undermining the administration.
Sources said Mr Irving has told Mr Furlong that after Mr Greenfield was removed as NSW secretary, he continued to access live footage from two CCTV cameras inside the union’s Sydney office foyer and showed live footage on his phone to a group of organisers.
It is understood Mr Irving has told the commission that Mr Greenfield’s potential misuse of the CCTV footage was designed to let current staff know that he was aware of who was going in and out of the office.
Sources said the security firm responsible for the CCTV cameras did not cut off Mr Greenfield’s remote access until October 9, more than six weeks after Mr Irving was appointed.
Mr Irving has also advised the commission of further conduct by Mr Greenfield that he argues warrants investigation, including arranging meetings with CFMEU organisers off site and allegedly threatening people if they co-operated with the administration.
Sources said Mr Irving also wanted the commission to investigate whether Mr Greenfield had caused the removal of delegates who were not loyal to him.
Asked whether the commission was investigating Mr Greenfield for possible anti-avoidance activity, a spokesman said: “The Fair Work Commission confirms that it has recently received information about alleged conduct of Mr Greenfield. An analysis of the information has commenced.”
Mr Greenfield, through his lawyer, declined to comment on Tuesday about the move by Mr Irving.
Addressing a Sydney rally of hundreds of construction workers that was protesting the administration earlier on Tuesday, Mr Greenfield declared he would “fight” for the CFMEU until the “last breath in my f..king body”.
“I thought we had rights in this country, but these bastards (the government) have all the power and can get rid of your rights at the drop of the hat,” he said. “But the battle will go on … We had 12 years of a Liberal government and flourished. Where are the investigations and evidence for the allegations?”
He said the federal government action against the CFMEU was “all on the basis of lies, rumours and innuendo, we need to keep fighting”.
Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt said previously there had been “pretty large rallies” in state capitals against the administration, but Tuesday’s rally was “very poorly attended” and only in Sydney.
“I do think it’s noteworthy that the number of people attending these rallies, the number of states that (they) are happening (in) is shrinking every time it happens. So I think we need to keep it in perspective,” he said.
Speaking about the anti-avoidance provisions, Senator Watt said the commission was able to take action “against those who are trying to get in the way of cleaning up a union that needs to be cleaned up, to ensure that that union can return to its job, which is representing its members’ interests”.
Mr Greenfield and his son Michael were arrested and charged in 2021 after allegedly taking bribes from a construction firm in exchange for favourable treatment from the union. They have denied any wrongdoing.
Referring to the charges, Senator Watt said that was “important context as to why (Darren Greenfield) might be a little bit upset at the moment”.
The Greens’ firm support and burgeoning relationship with the embattled CFMEU continued to flourish on Tuesday in Sydney, with NSW upper house member Abigail Boyd pledging the party would back the trade union movement “every single day”.
“The Greens stand with you today and every day … and will not stop,” the MP told the union’s rally outside state parliament.
“(The Greens) stood with you (the CFMEU) when we opposed that disgusting bill that put you into administration.”
Labor criticised Greens MP Max Chandler-Mather for speaking at a Brisbane CFMEU rally in August where Anthony Albanese was labelled a Nazi.
“(The union’s administrator) is misleading you about your rights. Thank you for not listening to them and coming here today to take political action,” Ms Boyd told the crowd of a few hundred building union members.
Additional reporting: Sarah Elks
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