CFMEU’s Michael O’Connor the ‘Sepp Blatter of unions’: Bridget McKenzie

The Coalition has accused the militant construction union’s leadership of tolerating corruption and thuggery.

Victorian Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie.

The Coalition has launched a scathing attack on the militant construction union, accusing its national leadership of tolerating “corruption” and “thuggery”.

Victorian Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie slammed Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union national secretary Michael O’Connor and construction division boss Dave Noonan in an adjournment speech on Thursday night, saying two former NSW officials had been “ruthlessly purged” by the union after they had complained about alleged corruption.

Accusing Mr O’Connor of “standing by” while Andrew Quirk and Brian Miller allegedly were bullied by fellow officials, the senator labelled Mr O’Connor “the Sepp Blatter of the union movement” presiding over a “crooked” organisation, referring to the suspended FIFA president.

“His attempts to cover up the corruption in the organisation, his attempts to downplay his own responsibility for them are … downright sinister,” she declared in the upper house.

In a surprise outcome, Senator McKenzie won leave to table lengthy affidavits sworn by Mr Quirk and Mr Miller, who are suing the CFMEU over their dismissal.

Mr Quirk’s affidavit outlines three meetings with Mr O’Connor and communication where Mr Quirk raised concerns about the union’s relationship with bankrupt Sydney businessman George Alex.

The trade union royal commission has heard evidence that Mr Alex struck enterprise workplace agreements with the CFMEU’s NSW branch and had a close relationship with state secretary Brian Parker.

Mr Noonan said: “The affidavits Senator McKenzie tabled are in a matter that is before the courts that have not yet been admitted to evidence; it’s an extraordinary act and it shows a desperation by the Liberal Party... to smear unions.” He previously has labelled the claims “fanciful”.