The Labor government has dismissed Peter Dutton’s call to immediately deregister the construction division of the CFMEU when parliament resumes next week, arguing that the Coalition’s policy would jeopardize ongoing investigations and give control back to criminal elements. Dutton, the opposition leader, proposed a Coalition government would re-establish the building industry watchdog and implement US-inspired laws against racketeering and “mafia-style” tactics. These claims come in the wake of further allegations of misconduct, corruption, and violence towards women in the construction industry, as reported by 60 Minutes. The federal women’s minister, Katy Gallagher, expressed horror at footage showing a woman being assaulted by a bikie-linked health and safety representative. The CFMEU’s construction division was placed into administration last year by the Albanese government due to claims of organized crime infiltration and other serious criminal activities. On Monday, Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, announced a police taskforce, Operation Hawk, to examine new allegations and focus on reports of organized crime and criminal behavior on Victorian worksites. The Victorian police spokesperson stated that Operation Hawk has been in operation, with additional detectives deployed to assess new intelligence and evidence related to organized crime in the construction industry. The state’s industrial relations minister, Jaclyn Symes, announced imminent legislation to create a complaints body, though Geoffrey Watson SC, appointed to investigate alleged wrongdoing, criticized the Victorian review as a “cover-up” by the state Labor government. Dutton also proposed laws based on the US Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act to target mafia and organized crime activities, emphasizing the need for urgent action against the “militant and corrupt” CFMEU. The Coalition also proposed setting up a federal police-led taskforce on corruption and crime in construction and urged parliament’s resumption to reinstate the Australian Building and Construction Commission and deregister the construction division of the CFMEU. The Labor government, however, opposed deregistration, arguing it would allow convicted individuals to continue their business models without additional oversight. Federal industrial relations minister, Murray Watt, claimed that Dutton’s plan would give control back to criminals and undermine the ongoing efforts to clean up the union, backed by active police operations and independent investigations. Watt rejected the call for “Rico-style” laws, asserting that existing Australian laws, such as section 390.6 of the criminal code, are sufficient to address directing criminal organizations.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/17/labor-coalition-cfmeu-crackdown-allegations-ntwnfb