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.
Long-serving Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association secretary Steve Purvinas says he has resigned to move on to "less stressful" pastures in the face of mounting opposition to his methods.
Sacked CFMEU construction division officials have told the High Court their constitutional challenge to Federal Government legislation placing union branches under administration is a stark reminder that "you cannot do indirectly what you are forbidden to do directly".
The WA IRC has made interim orders removing the recently reappointed leader of the ANMF's West Australian branch, Mark Olson, paving the way for the union council member who launched the challenge to take over his post.
FWC general manager Murray Furlong has confirmed he can investigate whether the scheme for administering the CFMEU construction and general division is being effectively implemented and will continue to monitor its compliance.
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.
A court has ordered long-serving Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association secretary Steve Purvinas to pay indemnity costs - expected to reach six figures - for his vexatious rules case that sought to wreak havoc against union executive members and embarrass and harass them.
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 HSU will today lodge a Federal Court bid to place its Victorian No 1 branch into administration, as embattled branch secretary Diana Asmar resists calls to stand down and seeks to turn the heat back on the union's national executive in another case heading to court tomorrow.
