NSW Labor Proposes Suspension of CFMEU Membership

July 16, 2024 TruthUSA

Labor is pushing for the CFMEU to sever its ties with the party amidst a series of controversies.

The CFMEU is facing further upheaval following the suspension move by NSW Premier Chris Minns from the Labor party.

Minns and Treasurer Daniel Mookey sent a joint letter to the NSW Labor Party secretary general in response to corruption allegations against the CFMEU.

They called for immediate suspension of the CFMEU’s construction and general divisions and requested cessation of affiliation with the party and donations.

The premier and treasurer condemned the revealed misconduct within the CFMEU as “appalling.”

They stated, “There is no room for criminal or corrupt behavior in the building industry, unions, or anywhere else.”

They added, “It is clear that the CFMEU construction and general division is unable to rectify itself.”

Concern arose following reports of an alleged incident in 2020 where a hidden police camera captured CFMEU’s NSW construction boss accepting a $5,000 cash bundle.

The video apparently shows a building company owner passing cash under the table to Darren Greenfield.

Greenfield is seen later placing the money in his drawer.

The video was part of a police investigation into Greenfield, resulting in corruption charges in 2021.

Greenfield’s case is pending trial.

His son Michael Greenfield, the NSW CFMEU secretary, also faced charges.

Greenfield maintains significant influence within the CFMEU as he awaits trial.

Meanwhile, former CFMEU Victorian construction division leader John Setka recently stepped down after a dispute with AFL umpire boss Stephen McBurney, leading to the union’s manufacturing division seeking de-amalgamation.

There have been allegations of criminal activities in the union division, with a joint investigation by Nine newspapers revealing involvement of crime and bikie members in delegate roles for the construction division.

Labor Senator Tim Ayres described the union allegations as disgraceful and indicated that steps to address the issue would be announced by federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke soon.

He stated, “Tony and the team are diligently working to ensure an effective and balanced response to the situation.”

“Everyone in the Albanese government is utterly shocked by what we have witnessed. Unions exist to protect their members,” he added.

The NSW premier’s actions align with those of Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who urged the party’s national executive to sever ties with the CFMEU on July 13.

In a statement, she condemned the alleged actions as “thuggery” and called for removal of the “rotten culture.”

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