Michaelia Cash (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Women) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Johnston for his question. Unfortunately, yes, I can, Senator Johnston. Many would know that the trade union royal commission found there was a culture of wilful defiance of the law which appears to lie at the heart of the CFMEU

There are numerous examples highlighting this culture. For example, in the Federal Court decision last year the court revealed disturbing examples of this type of conduct in the Melbourne Grocon dispute. A witness, a man who decided not to take part in the blockade, told the court that John Setka, the CFMEU's state secretary, and other CFMEU representatives pushed him into an alleyway and pinned him against a wall. He then told him, 'Shut up,' and that if he didn't shut up that he would shut him up permanently.

The Federal Court also heard that workers trying to get to work had insults hurled at them by CFMEU members, including comments such as 'scabs', 'dogs', 'scum', 'rats', 'f-ing bastard' and worse, including, 'You're f-ing going to die', 'You're going to cop it', and 'I'm going to kill your family.' In another case, two Fair Work inspectors visited a construction site in Adelaide. CFMEU official John Perkovic approached, stood directly in front of the inspector and pushed him, and stated as follows:

You f***ing maggot, what are you taking a photo of me for, you piece of s**t?

You f***ing coward. I'd f***ing take you to school, you f***ing piece of s**t.

You f***ing piece of s**t, you're going to have a heart attack.