FWC GM Murray Furlong has begun prosecuting former senior CFMEU construction division Victorian branch officials - primarily president Rob Graauwmans - for allegedly authorising payment of more than $300,000 of union funds to printing companies to benefit ex-HSU leader Diana Asmar as she campaigned for re-election.
FWC general manager Murray Furlong has started an investigation into whether John Setka, the former Victorian branch secretary of the under-administration CFMEU construction and general division, has flouted stringent "anti-avoidance" provisions that might lead to imprisonment by making threats against those now running the union.
The Federal Court has pushed FWC general manager Murray Furlong's prosecution of Diana Asmar back to next month and asked to her to provide a neurologist's report to ascertain whether she "is capable of managing her own affairs in the proceeding".
After its CFMEU raid today, Victoria Police has revealed that its investigation relates to drug trafficking in addition to the "secret commissions" or "kickbacks", and has charged two of the five men it arrested.
Shadow IR minister Jane Hume has introduced a Bill that would enable the CFMEU's administrator to indefinitely expel members or disqualify union officers, and ensure they could not work for other unions.
RAFFWU is accusing new Victorian Premier Ben Carroll of rewarding his "political masters" at the SDA after his Government introduced legislation that will shut down the unregistered union.
A new analysis argues CFMEU corruption is a response to declining union power after the deregulation of IR and the shift to decentralised wage-setting.
Union renewal expert Michael Crosby will start today as the CFMEU construction and general division's new administrator, FWC general manager Murray Furlong announced this morning.
The HSU Victorian No.1 branch's auditor has resigned after an investigation by the FWC's general manager found the union's financial reports materially mis-stated elements of its financial position and performance.
FWC general manager Murray Furlong has launched a new action against former HSU leader Diana Asmar, pushing for her to be banned from holding union positions because she allegedly took reprisal action against "several individuals" who made protected disclosures about the union's governance and financial management.
