Scott Morrison (Cook, Liberal Party, Treasurer) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for his question. I can advise the House that the ACCC has advised that criminal charges have been laid against the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union and its ACT divisional branch secretary, Jason O'Mara, in relation to alleged cartel conduct. The statement says:

"The CFMMEU and Mr O’Mara are each charged with attempting to induce suppliers of steelfixing services and scaffolding services to reach cartel contracts, arrangements or understandings containing cartel provisions in relation to services provided to builders in the ACT in 2012 to 2013" …

"These charges follow a joint investigation between the ACCC and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) as part of the AFP’s role in coordinating and contributing to the Joint Police Task Force following the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption"—

which those opposite will be very familiar with. It continues:

The charges are being prosecuted by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP).

The first mention of the charges before the ACT Magistrates Court is scheduled for 27 September 2018.

I am reading from the ACCC's media statement. I'd be happy to table it for you in a written form. You may want to read it; you may want to be advised of it. What does it take for the Labor Party to stop taking money from the CFMMEU? Some $2.4 million in donations have been funnelled to the Labor Party under this Leader of the Opposition, and some $11 million or thereabouts over their period of time. What does it take for the Labor Party to say to the CFMMEU: 'No more money for us. We're over your criminal and corrupt and thuggish and bullish conduct'? They've got to stop giving awards to these thugs and they should be supporting the government in ensuring they're prosecuted by the courts. This is a Labor leader who is so weak-kneed when it comes to the union movement, he makes Dan Andrews look like a corruption fighter—

See this speech in context