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    Building Bad

    Today

    Former consumer watchdog chairman Rod Sims: “This should not be happening.”

    ACCC urged to investigate CFMEU-John Holland ‘damning document’

    Competition experts are shocked at a secret side deal between John Holland and the CFMEU to only use three-CFMEU-backed labour hire companies on a major state project.

    • 9 mins ago
    • David Marin-Guzman and Gus McCubbing

    CFMEU treats $19m in fines as ‘cost of doing business’

    Judges have constantly called out the rogue union while issuing workplace penalties of about $19 million since 2016 – including the latest on Thursday.

    • Updated
    • Michael Pelly and David Marin-Guzman
    The CFMEU scandal raises obvious questions about how the governance standards of super fund boards could be improved.

    CFMEU scandal should force rethink on super fund boards

    Union-backed industry super funds have pushed hard to lift governance and accountability at public companies. Shouldn’t they want to improve their own governance, too?

    • Updated
    • James Thomson
    Hard road: Large Queensland renewables projects are baking in higher costs that benefit the CFMEU but no-one else, industry says.

    Labor rules giving building unions more powers on projects

    The construction industry in Queensland is worried about state policies that benefit the CFMEU, but which will saddle consumers with great costs.

    • Michael Bleby, James Hall and David Marin-Guzman

    APRA puts onus on Cbus to ensure CFMEU directors are fit, proper

    Senators have called for the construction industry fund to cut ties with the CFMEU amid allegations of criminality at the union. The prudential regulator says it is up to superannuation fund boards.

    • Hannah Wootton
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    This firm is on police’s radar, but still thriving thanks to CFMEU

    A company run by brothers known to the authorities and championed by the union has ballooned into one of NSW’s biggest labour hire operations.

    • David Marin-Guzman, Nick McKenzie, Eryk Bagshaw and Kate McClymont

    Yesterday

    Cbus chairman Wayne Swan: still leading a “movement”.

    The ties that bind John Setka to Cbus and the ALP

    With the CFMEU now in a spotlight so bright even the indestructible John Setka couldn’t ride it out, ties like these drag everyone else into the glare.

    • Myriam Robin
    The CFMEU branch in Victoria, epicentre  of a crisis that has engulfed Australia’s most militant union.

    Only a full judicial inquiry can lift the lid on the CFMEU

    The scandals at the construction union leave a host of unanswered questions that will shape the future of industrial relations in Australia.

    • Graeme Watson
    Up and up: Commercial building agreements are pushing up costs of housing, industry groups say.

    Apartment starts fall to 11-year low

    Industry groups say the extra costs of construction union agreements compound rising materials and financing costs to make housing projects unprofitable.

    • Michael Bleby

    CFMEU investigation exposes dark side of political relationships

    Letters from readers on the Financial Review’s investigation; the possible motive behind the assassination attempt on Donald Trump; and what the vice presidential candidate says about US politics.

    Workplace Minister Tony Burke addressing the media on Wednesday.

    ‘Not a threat, it’s very real’: CFMEU retaliation tactics in focus

    Victorian firms strong-armed into signing enterprise bargaining agreements say they are too afraid of speaking out against the CFMEU for fear of reprisals.

    • Ronald Mizen
    NSW Premier Chris Minns has moved to suspend the CFMEU from the Labor Party.

    NSW premier backs independent administration of CFMEU

    Chris Minns will suspend the union and ban any donations from it after a hidden police camera captured a union leader being passed $5000 in a suspected kickback deal.

    • Updated
    • Gus McCubbing
    ACTU boss Sally McManus arrives at the ACTU House in Melbourne.

    CFMEU crackdown doesn’t go far enough

    Business groups are demanding an inquiry into the CFMEU’s alleged criminal activities and the return of a permanent independent regulator.

    • Phillip Coorey and David Marin-Guzman
    Images shows Darren Greenfield allegedly taking a wad of cash under a table (left) and then putting it in an office drawer (right).

    CFMEU boss caught on covert camera allegedly taking a cash bribe

    A police lens hidden in the roof of the union’s Sydney office is said to have captured Darren Greenfield being passed money in a suspected kickback deal.

    • Nick McKenzie, David Marin-Guzman and Ben Schneiders
    Renovation rescue: CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith says the union is best placed to clean up its mess.

    The CFMEU can’t fix itself – just ask the banks, casinos and PwC

    If union and Labor leaders really want to win back trust in the CFMEU, only an independent and transparent inquiry into the union will do. 

    • James Thomson
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    This Month

    CFMEU national secretary Dave Noonan.

    Senators demand Cbus cut ties with CFMEU-appointed directors

    There are currently three CFMEU-appointed directors on the super fund’s board.

    • Hannah Wootton
    Anthony Albanese will intervene to clean up CFMEU.

    Albanese to push aside CFMEU bosses

    The Albanese government will seek to appoint an external administrator to clean up the CFMEU, sidelining its national and state leaders. The MUA is also considering whether to split from the CFMEU.

    • David Marin-Guzman, Phillip Coorey, Hannah Wootton and Gus McCubbing

    How vicious feuds 50 years ago sowed the seeds of the CFMEU

    The evolution of today’s militant construction union can be traced back to the unlikely locale of the leafy Sydney suburb of Hunters Hill.

    • Andrew Clark
    Builders must inform union delegates which subcontractors are awarded work as soon as possible.

    Outrage at CFMEU bid to get investigation and prosecution powers

    The ACT branch of the embattled construction union is seeking powers to investigate and refer matters to the ACT Director of Public Prosecutions. 

    • Ronald Mizen
    Unions

    ‘Integrity, credibility’: CFMEU praises Setka, rejects outside inquiry

    The union does not believe any construction deal with the government was achieved through corruption, but is terminating a contract with one company.

    • Updated
    • Gus McCubbing, Hannah Wootton and Lucy Slade