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Darren Chester backs Coalition plan to tackle CFMEU corruption, organised crime, and lawlessness in construction industry

Darren Chester backs the Coalition's plan to crack down on CFMEU corruption, organised crime, and union lawlessness in construction, pledging stronger penalties and reinstating the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

By news@gippsland - 20th March 2025 - Back to News

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has welcomed a Coalition government commitment to crack down on union thuggery and stamp out organised crime in the construction industry. Mr Chester said the latest disturbing revelations on the CFMEU's behaviour are driving up the cost of construction and robbing regional Victorians of much-needed funds for local projects.

A future Coalition government will introduce new offences empowering police to target criminal groups and combat corruption in the construction industry through an Australian Federal Police-led taskforce

Strengthening industry integrity

Mr Chester said, "The allegation of bikies and organised crime figures operating alongside the CFMEU on major projects like Melbourne's Metro Tunnel has seen project budgets blow out by billions of dollars on Labor's watch, while taxpayers are footing the bill. Every dollar wasted on CFMEU-run sites is money which isn't available to improve our roads or build new hospitals and schools in regions like Gippsland."

A future Coalition government will introduce new offences allowing police to target groups that engage in a pattern of criminal behaviour and crack down on corruption and organised crime in the construction industry by establishing an Australian Federal Police-led taskforce.

If it wins the federal election, the Coalition will immediately introduce legislation to deregister the militant construction division of the CFMEU, reinstate the Australian Building and Construction Commission with increased powers, and increase penalties for breaches of the Fair Work Act.

Cracking down on lawlessness

Mr Chester said, "The CFMEU needs to be immediately deregistered, and those involved in law-breaking should be blocked from becoming union officials ever again. The chaos, violence and lawlessness in the construction sector lies solely at the feet of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese because of his catastrophic decision to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commission."

"Where the Albanese Labor government has shown weakness and indecision, a Coalition government will take immediate and decisive action to stamp out organised crime and lawlessness in the construction industry."

"Our country cannot afford three more years of Labor's weakness and inaction. You cannot trust Anthony Albanese to stand up to his union mates, and a Labor-Greens minority government will only embolden the CFMEU's lawless behaviour," Mr Chester said.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com