Former CFMEU boss Marcus Pare expelled from the union after $100k spending spree

An ex-CFMEU boss who went on a $100k spending spree with a union credit card, and allegedly maintained contact with bikies, has been kicked out of the construction union.

Former CFMEU South Australia boss, Marcus Pare, has been expelled from the construction union. Picture: Instagram

A former CFMEU boss who splurged $100,000 on a union credit card in 12 months and allegedly maintained contact with bikies, has been expelled from the construction union.

Marcus Pare, who ran the South Australian branch of the CFMEU while it was under the control of Victorian secretary John Setka, was turfed by administrator Mark Irving, KC, on Tuesday.

The decision bans Mr Pare from the union for four-and-a-half years, meaning he will be unable to contest the next union elections, due when the CFMEU returns to members’ control.

An investigation into Mr Pare by the CFMEU administration found that he went on a spending spree across the country with union funds, including a $2714 dinner with unnamed officials where they sipped on 27 espresso martinis.

He also used the credit card to book a personal holiday to New Zealand, which he later paid back.

Mr Pare was turfed by administrator Mark Irving, KC, on Tuesday. Picture: LinkedIn

A report from investigators shows he advocated for a former Finks member to be a union delegate and helped get that man’s mother a job, and that he transferred contacts of prominent Rebels and Mongols from a union phone to his personal device.

It also says he had given himself an unauthorised pay rise of $29,000, which Mr Pare claimed Mr Setka had endorsed.

“His failure to acknowledge, or apologise for, his conduct sheds light on the type of leader he was, as well as his disregard of his responsibilities and legal obligations,” the report says.

The Adelaide Advertiser attempted to contact Mr Pare on Wednesday.

When the investigation was released early this year, Mr Pare told News Corp it was “political rubbish”.

“I take none of these attacks on me personal even though some days it does affect my mental health,” he said at the time.

The expulsion is a significant step for Mr Irving, who is attempting to clean up the union following his appointment as administrator, because of the likelihood Mr Pare will be unable to contest the next union elections.

It also gives clear air to the defacto boss of the South Australian branch, Travis Hera-Singh, who has indicated he wants to keep the branch local and cast off ties to Victoria.

Mr Irving’s appointment was sparked by revelations the CFMEU had been infiltrated by bikies and underworld figures and had “lost control”.

Originally published as Former CFMEU boss Marcus Pare expelled from the union after $100k spending spree