'Reset' meeting to be held between unions, business and ...
A meeting to hit the reset button after the CFMEU scandal will be held between unions, government and business next month, as the workplace relations minister seeks to quiet weeks of conflict in the construction sector.
Minister Murray Watt will announce he is reconvening the National Construction Industry Forum in his address to the National Press Club today, which will meet in mid-October to address workplace culture, misconduct and lawlessness from "both the worker and employer sides".
Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt is addressing the National Press Club.
Just nowWed 18 Sep 2024 at 3:09am
Murray Watt is taking questions from reporters nowThe first is about the CFMEU allegations.
He's asked if the government needs a tougher mechanism to enforce stricter rules on construction sites, considering Labor abolished the construction watchdog, the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
Murray Watt says he's not convinced we need a building industry specific regulator.
He says in regards to allegations the construction union has been infiltrated by bikies, a range of different enforcement mechanisms have already started.
Watt says he was briefed by the AFP about investigations underway and the administrator appointed to clean up to the union has already taken strong action.
"I've privately met with union representatives, employer representatives over the last few weeks. They all say that things can change," he says.
Senator Watt said recent events presented an opportunity to renew the construction sector.
"We need to fundamentally change the culture of this industry. We need a major reset in Australia's construction industry, and we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to do it," Senator Watt said.
"The construction sector, like many others, works best when government, employers and workers are all on the same page."
Murray Watt will seek a reset in relations at a meeting between unions, government and business next month. (AAP: Dean Lewins)
Parts of the union have warred with the government since its decision to force the CMFEU to accept an administrator — with sacked union bosses accusing the government of betraying a group with close ties to Labor.
The forum will bring together relevant ministers, unions and key industry leaders — a tactic Senator Watt said had worked well during his time as agriculture minister.
"Workplace cooperation is delivering for workers and business in other sectors. There is no reason it can't happen in the construction sector too," he said.
CFMEU workers have protested across the country in response to the union being placed in administration. (AAP: Joel Carrett)
Administrator urges investigation into bikie infiltration to continueMeanwhile, construction union administrator Mark Irving has responded to findings that outlaw motorcycle gangs are still influential within the CFMEU.
Barrister Geoffrey Watson delivered an interim report into the union's Victorian branch this week, finding it had been infiltrated by bikies, its negotiations on employment conditions had become "vulnerable to corruption" and efforts to rid those criminal elements had been inadequate.
Mr Irving has urged for that investigation to be continued, saying he would support it with any coercive powers needed.
He said an anonymous whistleblower service had been established within the administration and a separate integrity unit that could investigate "the mounting number of allegations" would also be established.
That integrity unit will begin by enquiring into suppliers and their relationship with "certain removed former senior officials" in Victoria.
A number of further investigations have also been committed to, including a broader investigation into labour hire in Victoria, and "detailed" investigations in Queensland and NSW on the involvement of organised crime in those states.
"Mr Watson's report has shed light on a cycle of lawlessness where violence was an acceptable part of the culture that exists across the Victorian construction sector and that in this cycle of intimidation and violence, the CFMEU had lost control," Mr Irving said in a statement.
