The Federal Court has today restrained HSU Victorian No 1 branch secretary Diana Asmar - accused of illegitimate reimbursements and engaging in a cashback scheme - from performing her duties, clearing the way for her deputy, David Eden, to temporarily take up the role.
The Australian Federal Police has set up a special operation to investigate allegations of criminal conduct in the construction industry and the CFMEU, and already has one new "priority" probe underway, after a July referral from then Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke.
FWC general manager Murray Furlong has referred to the AFP 12 of the almost 800 reports he has received about potentially unlawful conduct or activity by the CFMEU's construction division or its officers and is also seeking intelligence to identify whether any of 10 "leaders in exile" have flouted anti-avoidance provisions, he told a Senate Estimates hearing yesterday.
Under-fire HSU branch leader Diana Asmar has been ordered not to use union funds to cover the costs of defending FWC allegations that she received "cashbacks" and unwarranted reimbursements, while also being directed to provide undertakings not to initiate any further reprisals against three officials who maintain that the branch no longer operates effectively.
The Federal Court this Friday will hear the HSU's urgent interlocutory application to put its Victorian No 1 branch into administration, after the union filed claims that branch leader Diana Asmar threatened to kill, sack and expose an employee who allegedly blew the whistle on her alleged misappropriation of funds.
The High Court has today agreed to hear in November the challenge by sacked CFMEU construction division officials to the Albanese Government putting it in the hands of an administrator.
A High Court challenge launched by ousted leaders of the CFMEU construction division's Queensland branch seeks an urgent hearing to deal with claims the Albanese Government's administration scheme is unconstitutional and intended to gag the division in the lead-up to the next federal election.
FWC general manager Murray Furlong has withdrawn his Federal Court application to put the CFMEU's construction and general division into administration, after the Albanese Government passed legislation to serve the same purpose.
Newly-installed CFMEU construction division administrator Mark Irving KC has told members that "militancy in accordance with the [Fair Work] Act" is not unlawful and that the union will not make political donations or take "positions" at ALP conferences while he is in charge.
A Melbourne rally in support of the CFMEU's construction division heard today that "three or four" legal challenges at federal and state level are expected against laws putting its branches into administration, as a part of a multi-year campaign.
