Queensland's Crisafulli Government will hold a commission of inquiry into the State branch of the CFMEU's construction division in the wake of a report concluding that its former leaders ran a "violent, cruel, misogynist" regime.
After more than 30 years leading CPSU Victoria, Karen Batt appears to have been toppled by challenger Jiselle Hanna, in the first contested ballot in two decades.
The FWC has restored MUA Sydney branch secretary Paul Keating's entry permit four years after he failed the fit and proper person test, accepting that his arrest for taking part in a peaceful Gaza protest did not sully his clean industrial record in the intervening period.
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".
Documents released under FoI laws reveal that Tasmania opposed the January appointment of MEU general president Tony Maher as chair of Safe Work Australia, claiming it harboured "significant concerns" about his suitability, while Queensland also aired its worries about his independence.
CFMEU construction division administrator Mark Irving KC is again shaking up his leadership picks with the appointment of Michael Crosby, an organising expert and author of a book about rebuilding the union movement, to run the NSW branch.
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 FWC has warned MEU general vice president Stephen Smyth it will not be so accommodating next time he wants to renew his entry permit should he ever repeat behaviour that attracted more than $80,000 in fines for using slurs such as "f--king scab", "maggot" and "dirty rat" during a coal mine strike.
