‘It’s a witch hunt’: union man discusses evidence

Wire taps have revealed a CFMEU representative discussing inquiry evidence with businessmen who are facing criminal allegations.

Darren Greenfield leaves the royal commission into trade union governance and corruption yesterday. Picture: Jeremy Piper

Wire taps have revealed a construction union representative discussing evidence being given to the trade-union royal commission with businessmen who are facing criminal allegations.

Darren Greenfield, an organiser for the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, was recorded talking to George Alex, the bankrupt owner of ­labour-hire companies including Elite Access Scaffolding and Active Labour, about evidence to the inquiry into trade-union corruption.

The commission was “trying to get me involved,” Mr Greenfield told Mr Alex in an intercepted phone call played yesterday.

“They’re listening to (businessman) Jim Byrnes. This whole thing is run on people’s lies. It’s a witch hunt ... He’s giving them all the evidence.”

Mr Greenfield was also recorded consoling Mace Hourani, an associate of Mr Alex. “Keep your chin up, mate. Don’t let it get to ya. It’s just vicious people,” he reassured Mr Hourani after newspaper reports probed companies run by Mr Hourani.

“They’ve got an agenda, f. k them mate,” he was heard to say.

Mr Hourani told Mr Greenfield: “I’m really not concerned that much. Everything’s above board,” but added, “when you’ve got a company like Mirvac that’s worried and wants to break ties …”

Mr Greenfield said: “Hopefully they can be awake to it themselves and realise that there is nothing. And let you get on with your f. king business.”

Mr Greenfield has been accused of making death threats to a fellow union official but yesterday told the commission it was merely a “workplace argument”.

He described dealing with Mr Alex’s companies as a “nightmare”. Yesterday the commission heard him in a different phone call saying he would “front” Mr Alex over threats to a union colleague.

Mr Greenfield was responsible for collecting payments for union members employed by Mr Alex. The commission has heard repeated claims Mr Greenfield collected kickbacks to the CFMEU from Mr Alex’s companies.

Mr Greenfield has said he put his “life on the line” when dealing with Mr Alex’s companies.

Yesterday, counsel assisting the commission, Sarah McNaughton SC, asked why he had not sought union support in his dealings with Mr Alex: “Is it the case that you wanted to keep it a one-on-one situation with Mr Alex, because you were on the take, sir?”

“No not at all”, he said.

Mr Alex, who has also been ­accused of making death threats, is to appear as a witness today.