The Squiz 

The Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) is back in the headlines with former officials from its construction arm – led by ex-National President Jade Ingham – launching a High Court challenge against the federal government over their dismissals. They’re arguing that the laws allowing the government to forcibly place the division into administration last month over claims of criminal misconduct and links to organised crime are “unconstitutional” and that it should be returned to the “rightful ownership” of members. PM Anthony Albanese responded yesterday – he said the government is “cleaning up the industry, and we make no apologies for it.”

Back it up a bit…

You can catch up on the CFMEU saga here, but to get to the crux of what this High Court move is about… After the union’s corruption claims surfaced, the Albanese Government, supported by the Coalition, passed new legislation to force the union to accept administrators taking control. Reports say that was because of delays in a Fair Work application to appoint an independent administrator. But the High Court challenge suggests that didn’t allow for due democratic process – with Ingham saying ex-officials’ concern is that the union “has been ripped away”. “This is all about political control. It’s not about criminality and corruption,” he said. Albanese isn’t phased, saying the challenge didn’t come as a surprise after former Victorian CFMEU construction boss John Setka launched separate legal action following his expulsion from the Labor Party. “We will stand by our position,” Albanese said.

What’s next?

This’ll likely be in the news again next week when Parliament returns with the Coalition renewing its push for the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) to be reinstated. It’s a regulator that Coalition governments put in place only for Labor governments to dismantle – which the Albanese Government did in early 2023. But given the CFMEU’s issues, the Coalition got it on the legislative agenda… In the meantime, an independent review of the CFMEU is being undertaken, with a report due later this year… And while we’re talking politics, the NSW branch of the Liberal Party will be taken over by the federal executive for 10 months. It comes after the NSW division missed the deadline to nominate 140 candidates in 16 councils for the upcoming local elections. The state branch has until tomorrow to comply, so expect to hear more on that today… 

If you need to catch up on what’s happening with the CFMEU, our Squiz Shortcut has you covered.