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 CFMEU construction and general division NSW branch secretary Darren Greenfield and his son, assistant branch secretary Michael Greenfield.
Mark Irving KC says he is administering the CFMEU's construction and general division "in the shadow" of the union's deposed leaders' High Court challenge, which is creating substantial uncertainty.
Corruption investigator Geoffrey Watson SC is recommending a criminal trial against ousted CFMEU construction and general division NSW branch secretary Darren Greenfield and civil proceedings against his leadership team and a lawyer over an alleged "extraordinary" transfer of $3 million to help him and his son defend "minor" charges.
The Federal Court has rejected embattled HSU No 1 Victorian branch secretary Diana Asmar's bid to stay FWC general manager Murray Furlong's prosecution of her for alleged "cashbacks", after she failed to establish a criminal trial is "on the cards".
CFMEU construction division administrator Mark Irving KC has announced a new probe into violence, threats and menacing conduct in Queensland, just as the union confirms the sudden exit of the state branch's recently-installed executive director.
