Albanese ‘not surprised’ by CFMEU court action

Anthony Albanese says he’s not surprised by the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union decision to take the federal government to court.

The CFMEU today filed a challenge in the High Court to laws forcing the union to accept administration.

The Federal Government passed the laws, with support from the Coalition, to force administration on the CFMEU and all its branches after allegations organised crime had permeated the union and its ranks.

The CFMEU claims the forced administration was unconstitutional and undemocratic because it violated members’ rights to due process.

Speaking at a press conference in Perth this morning, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he expected the proceedings.

“Surprise, surprise,” Mr Albanese said.

“John Secker took our entire national executive to court over him being expelled from the Labor Party.

“That's fully expected, and we will stand by our position, and the government's position will be defended.”

Asked whether his party would miss the almost $2 million donated by the CFMEU to the federal Labor party prior to the last election, Mr Albanese said he “wasn’t concerned”.

“We just make decisions based upon their merits and what happened,” he said.

“I know a range of coalition ministers like Peter Dutton are saying ‘Oh, this has been around for a long period of time. Well, they didn't do anything about it. And the ABCC didn't do anything about these issues.

“I'm about fixing it because decent trade unionists, decent trade unionists who work to improve the wages and conditions of their fellow members, are people who give up their time because they're passionate about helping their fellow workers.

“They deserve our respect, and the legitimate role of the trade union movement is undermined wherever there is corruption.”

It comes after CFMEU WA members last week downed tools to protest the federal government’s move.

Led by CFMEU WA secretary Mick Buchan, members marched down Forrest Chase in Perth’s CBD before making their way down to Elizabeth Quay.

Speaking to Business News after the march, Mr Buchan said the march was to highlight “improper process” by the federal government.

“When the first reports came out, we got a high-end barrister in to review everything, we were following process," he said.

“Instead of letting it follow proper course the government just decided ‘well this is taking too long, we’re going to legislate." 

Deputy opposition leader Michaelia Cash said next week's return to parliament would prove whether the government was serious about sorting out the union.

"Well, he had made it very, very clear putting the CFMEU into administration was only the first step that needed to be taken," she said.

"Is he actually dinkum about cleaning up the CFMEU and the construction industry in Australia, or? And the ‘or’ is going to be on display.

"He can support Peter Dutton and my private members and senators’ Bill to restore the tough cop on the beat, the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which the industry want.

"He can also support our Ensuring Integrity Bill, which Labor again fought against every single step of the way when they were in opposition and we were in government, which will give the Federal Court the ability to ban rogue union officials for life, but also make it an offense to then act as a shadow union official."