The Federal Court has ousted HSU secretary Diana Asmar and has put her Victorian No 1 branch wholly in the hands of administrator Charlie Donnelly until a fresh leadership team is elected, as early as the middle of next year.
CFMEU construction and general division administrator Mark Irving says today's High Court decision upholding the administration "paves the way for the greater systemic reforms" needed for the union and the broader industry, while the Albanese Government says it will give him "all necessary support".
CFMEU national leader Zach Smith is stepping back from his role as secretary of the under-administration construction division to focus on its Victorian branch, stating that while he is "willing to take responsibility for decisions I make", he "cannot be asked to take responsibility for decisions" that are not his.
The CFMEU construction division's ACT branch committee of management is urging administrator Mark Irving KC to reinstate Michael Hiscox as acting branch secretary, contradicting claims he oversaw an "unsustainable" financial and membership decline.
CFMEU construction division administrator Mark Irving KC's decision to remove the ACT branch's acting secretary after he voiced concerns about a restructure raises transparency issues and confirms a push to centralise power, according to a removed official.
CFMEU construction division leader Zach Smith has hit back at "bullshit" claims that a planned restructure to centralise campaigning, communications and training functions will undemocratically hand control to the national office and reduce members' influence.
The HSU's Victorian No 1 branch will enter full administration and secretary Diana Asmar will leave her job, under in an in-principle agreement reached with the union's national executive, which it expects the Federal Court to approve on Monday.
Former CFMEU construction and general division NSW branch leaders Darren and Michael Greenfield will return to court next month, after pleading guilty to receiving or soliciting corrupting benefits.
In its first decision on whether to give "removed" CFMEU construction division officials the chance to pursue jobs at other unions, the FWC has cleared former Queensland branch assistant leader Kane Lowth to take up a part-time role with the ETU but stopped short of allowing him to hold office or represent it in bargaining.
The FWC has started investigating allegations of financial mismanagement made against former CFMEU South Australian branch assistant secretary Marcus Pare and former CFMEUÂ construction and general division NSW branch secretary Darren Greenfield and his son, assistant branch secretary Michael Greenfield.