Victorian labour hire duo arrested, with one charged for using a false document
Multiple sources say the allegations related to BK Labour Hire, which has been involved across the state’s Big Build projects.
Victorian detectives investigating financial misconduct in the labour hire industry have arrested a man and woman over the alleged falsification of invoices by a Port Melbourne company.
Detectives from Taskforce Hawk arrested the man and woman, both aged 66, as part of their probe into alleged financial misconduct linked to the labour hire company.
Victoria Police did not name the company but multiple sources told The Australian that the allegations relate to BK Labour, which has been involved across Big Build projects including the $15bn Metro Tunnel and several level crossing removals.
The company declined to comment when contacted on Thursday
Investigators from the taskforce have been working collaboratively with the Labour Hire Authority, which has also been investigating the company’s compliance with legal obligations under the Labour Hire Licensing Act.
After a warrant was executed on Wednesday at the company’s headquarters in Port Melbourne, the duo was arrested, with the man charged with one count of using a false document.
Police will allege invoices were falsified and are investigating a number of other payments and cash withdrawals.
The man was bailed to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on June 19. The woman was released pending further inquiries.
Operation Hawk was established in July last year to specifically target criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry and transitioned to Taskforce Hawk in June 2025.
Taskforce detectives recently hit former Victorian CFMEU secretary John Setka with nine charges over allegations he sent threatening emails to the government-appointed union administrator, Mark Irving, KC.
Investigators will allege Mr Setka sent the emails in response to the administrator’s notice to produce material, and a follow-up letter a day later.
Sources said the demands to Mr Setka related to Mr Irving’s probe into a so-called union “slush” fund known as the Building Industry 2000 fund.
Senior Construction Forestry and Maritime Employees Union official Steve Long resigned from the union last month amid reported corruption and conflict of interest allegations that he has denied.
His departure follows October’s sackings of veteran CFMEU organiser John Perkovic for allegedly taking bribes and secret benefits from employers, and Steven Deer, the head of the union’s training arm, who has been charged by police with falsifying invoices.
Sixty CFMEU personnel had left the union’s Victorian branch since Mr Irving was appointed last year, including 26 in recent weeks.
CFMEU boss Zach Smith recently resigned from the Albanese government’s National Construction Industry Forum, citing a need to focus on the rebuilding of Australia’s most controversial union.
