CFMEU construction division administrator Mark Irving last year "counselled" then Victorian branch secretary Zach Smith for his "serious error of judgement" in permitting an organiser to meet with underworld figure and "fixer" Mick Gatto, after FWC general manager raised concerns.
Former CFMEU construction and general division Queensland branch leaders Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham directed membership payments to the state-registered union rather than the federally-registered entity, leaving members without voting power, in a move that might have been intended to "create an impregnable fiefdom into which the national organisation could not reach", administrator Mark Irving KC said today.
The Wood inquiry into the CFMEU's activities in Queensland will put construction division administrator Mark Irving KC on the stand in a hearing this week.
Queensland's Crisafulli Government is removing the former Labor administration's best practice pay and conditions procurement guidelines for new State-funded construction projects, following the release of a State productivity commission report, while the Wood inquiry has appointed new counsel assisting, ahead of its first substantive hearings.
A Victoria Police special taskforce has charged former CFMEU construction and general division Victorian branch secretary John Setka for allegedly sending threatening emails to the CFMEU's administrator, while an ACCC probe has prompted John Holland to ditch deals that limit its choice of labour hire providers.
The FWC is considering legal action against former senior officers of the CFMEU construction and general division's Victorian branch after finding they diverted more than $300,000 in member's funds to re-elect now-ousted HSU leader Diana Asmar.
The Wood inquiry into the CFMEU construction and general division in Queensland has set down two tranches of hearings, as it rebuilds its counsel assisting team after a string of resignations.
Commissioner Stuart Wood KC, addressing today's initial hearing for his inquiry into the CFMEU in Queensland, expressed his gratitude for the "unsolicited written commitment" from union administrator Mark Irving KC to cooperate with the probe.
The inquiry into the CFMEU construction division's Queensland branch is set to begin its public proceedings next week in Brisbane with an opening statement from Commissioner Stuart Wood KC and an address from senior counsel assisting, Liam Kelly KC.
Silk Liam Kelly, who has a strong background in commercial law, and two junior counsel have been appointed to assist Commissioner Stuart Wood KC's inquiry into the CFMEU construction and general division's Queensland branch
