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.
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.
