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Press Releases: National

October 2008

Employment Rorts at Department of Workplace Relations site 31 October 2008
[ full story ]
Funding boost good news, but serious commitment needed 15 October 2008
The Government’s announcement of a funding boost for training is positive, but must go further, the CFMEU said.
[ full story ]
Unions slam AMMA’s opportunistic grab to retain ABCC 15 October 2008
Construction workers today rejected the politically motivated call from the Australian Mines and Metals Association to keep the Australian Building and Construction Commission indefinitely.
[ full story ]
Pressure builds on Government to abolish unfair laws 14 October 2008
The Victorian Labor Party Conference unanimously passed a resolution calling on the Federal Government to abolish the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) at the State conference on the weekend.
[ full story ]
ABCC Discriminatory and Must be Immediately Disbanded 09 October 2008
The release today of the discussion paper, from Honourable Murray Wilcox QC, on the future of the Australian Building Construction Commission (ABCC) shatters the case made by big business and property developers for the retention of the ABCC, said Dave Noonan, National Secretary, CFMEU Construction & General Division.
[ full story ]

September 2008

Civil case against directors of James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd commences Sept 29 25 September 2008
The civil proceedings against James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd directors will commence in the Supreme Court of NSW on Monday September 29.
[ full story ]
Charges against worker withdrawn – union calls on Building Commissioner to apologise and resign 22 September 2008
The CFMEU today called on Australian Building and Construction Commissioner, John Lloyd, to apologise and resign after eight charges against construction worker Brian Shearer were withdrawn by the Department of Public Prosecutions.
[ full story ]

August 2008

Construction workers launch 'Rights on Site' campaign against the ABCC 25 August 2008
Three construction workers, all of whom have been personally attacked by the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), will today launch the ‘Rights on Site’ campaign in Parliament House.
[ full story ]
ABCC Productivity Report Outdated and Discredited 01 August 2008
The release today of the Australian Building and Construction Commissions 'Economic Analysis of Building and Construction Industry Productivity: 2008' report is fundamentally flawed, said Dave Noonan, National Secretary CFMEU Construction Division.
[ full story ]

July 2008

Building workers should have the same rights as the rest of the workforce 30 July 2008
It is unacceptable in a modern democracy that workers in the construction industry have fewer rights than the broader workforce, says the ACTU.
[ full story ]
Commission Must Come Clean on Targeting Construction Workers 17 July 2008
Construction workers today called on the head of the Australian Building and Construction Commission to explain why his agency is continuing to target individual construction workers for exercising their basic rights.
[ full story ]
ABCC prosecutes Union official for demanding safe work place. 14 July 2008
Court proceedings have begun today against a Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union official, Robert Mates, who stood up for workers' health and safety at a Heidelberg work site run by Anthony Goss.
[ full story ]
Construction workers slam MBA push to slash safety standards 08 July 2008
Construction workers today accused the Master Builders Association of putting profits ahead of safety standards in one of Australia’s most dangerous industries.
[ full story ]

June 2008

Rally against the ABCC will embarrass Rudd Government 26 June 2008
Over 200 construction workers are expected to rally outside the offices of the Australian Building and Construction Commission in Melbourne today to protest the intimidation and interrogation of four construction workers.
[ full story ]
Union Accuses MBA of Pressuring Rudd Government 26 June 2008
Construction workers today accused the Master Builders Association of using stand-over tactics to pressure the Rudd Labor Government into keeping the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC).
[ full story ]

May 2008

Federal Court clears CFMEU, Noonan 16 May 2008
A Federal Court decision to dismiss the case against the CFMEU and its Construction Division National Secretary Dave Noonan is another rebuff to the Australian Building and Construction Commission, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]
Unions Step Up Campaign Against Howard Building Laws 06 May 2008
Unions today launched a national campaign to give construction workers the same rights as all other workers.
[ full story ]

April 2008

CFMEU calls for crackdown on dangerous formaldehyde imports 28 April 2008
A broad scale crackdown on dangerous formaldehyde product imports is urgently needed by the Rudd Government, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]

March 2008

CFMEU calls for apprentice quotas on all government construction projects 04 March 2008
Building companies that win government construction contracts, including the low-cost housing program announced yesterday, should be required to meet a formal apprentice quota, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]

February 2008

Supporting apology to Stolen Generations 11 February 2008
The CFMEU Construction & General Division welcomes the Australian Government’s decision to open the new Parliament on February 13th with an apology to Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander Australians who were stolen from their families and communities as children and placed in institutions or foster care with non-Indigenous families.
[ full story ]

January 2008

No wages ‘breakout’ - just unions doing their job 03 January 2008
‘There is no national union push for a wages ‘breakout’ in the building industry, nor are there plans for mass strikes,’ said Dave Noonan, National Secretary CFMEU today.
[ full story ]

November 2007

Master Builders must respect voters’ verdict 29 November 2007
The CFMEU today called on employer groups in the construction industry to respect the verdict of the Australian people and end their campaigns to maintain the Howard Government’s WorkChoices policies.
[ full story ]
CFMEU pays tribute to Bernie Banton 27 November 2007
The CFMEU has been deeply saddened by the news that Bernie Banton has passed away.
[ full story ]
Building Watchdog still playing politics 15 November 2007
The CFMEU has today called on the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) to immediately stop its blatant political interference in the tightly contested federal election campaign.
[ full story ]
Apprentice scheme needs urgent rethink 14 November 2007
Australia’s economic well-being is being held back by flaws in the apprentice scheme that forces nearly half of all young Australians who start an apprenticeship to drop out before completion, the CFMEU warned today.
[ full story ]
Health Minister must move on asbestos drug NOW 08 November 2007
Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott must move immediately to subsidise asbestos-cancer treatment for sufferers and their families, the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union said today.
[ full story ]
Workers’ Plight Puts Spotlight on Redundancy Provision 07 November 2007
CFMEU Construction National Secretary Dave Noonan will today meet union members on the picket line at Barnsley Joinery Works, where 17 workers were sacked on Friday without immediate payment of their entitlements as per the award.
[ full story ]

October 2007

Health Minister’s apology must be backed with actions 31 October 2007
Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott’s apology to asbestos-disease sufferer Bernie Banton would be hollow without immediate action to subsidise treatment for sufferers and their families, the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union said today.
[ full story ]
Asbestos victims plea to Health Minister 30 October 2007
Asbestos-disease sufferers and their families will present Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott with a plea to increase their life expectancies through a new drug subsidy at his Manly office today.
[ full story ]
Howard builds white elephants as toolkits rust 29 October 2007
The Prime Minister’s announcement of plans to build 100 more technical colleges over the next ten years continues a failed policy that has done little to resolve Australia’s skills crisis, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]
Building company admits industry scare campaign 24 October 2007
The head of one of Australia’s largest construction companies has exposed the fact that industry employer groups are running a massive scare election campaign by conceding the sky will not fall in under a Labor Government.
[ full story ]
ABCC has no effect on construction costs: Liberal lie ad campaign must be pulled 17 October 2007
[ full story ]
Public Servant Compromised by Far-Right Rendevous 11 October 2007
A senior public servant should resign if he wants to accept an invitation to address the extremist HR Nichols Society, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]

September 2007

Safety in Construction Industry on Critical List 25 September 2007
New Australian Safety and Compensation Council (ASCC) research has for the first time exposed critically high levels of work related injuries in the construction industry.
[ full story ]
MBA IR Blueprint is a sham! 14 September 2007
The CFMEU today dismissed the Master Builders’ Association’s (MBA) construction industry IR blueprint as the work of extremists.
[ full story ]

August 2007

Employer Group Rejects Howard¹s Individual Contracts 24 August 2007

At last an employer-backed study into the Australian Construction Industry has rejected the Howard Government’s individual contracts and concedes the benefits of trade unions in making the industry more productive, the CFMEU said today.

[ full story ]

July 2007

Union Members Denied Right to Choose Own Solicitor 30 July 2007
The Full Court of the Federal Court today stayed an appeal by a Western Australian construction worker against an earlier decision, denying him the right to choose his own legal representation when summoned to appear before the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner.
[ full story ]
ABCC productivity report full of flaws 26 July 2007
The release today of the ABCC’s ‘Economic Analysis of Building and Construction Industry Productivity’ report is fundamentally flawed and politically motivated said Dave Noonan, the National Secretary of the Construction and General Division of the CFMEU.
[ full story ]
Economic smokescreen latest weapon in Howard’s war on workers 25 July 2007
The leaking of the latest construction industry productivity research from EconTech before its formal release by the Australian Building and Construction Commission confirms it has become a taxpayer funded arm of the Liberal Party, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]
Queensland workers complain of threats to replace them with 457 Visa workers if they don¹t sign AWAs 22 July 2007
Construction workers in central Queensland have complained that a major construction company has threatened to replace them with 457 Visa workers unless they sign AWAs that strip pay and conditions, in the latest example of Howard’s unfair industrial relations laws.
[ full story ]
Major court challenge to John Holland Comcare coverage 02 July 2007
A case is being lodged in the Federal Court of Australia today to challenge a decision by the Howard Government’s Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission (SRCC) to grant a Comcare licence to construction company John Holland Pty Ltd.
[ full story ]

June 2007

Union referred Perth building incident to WA police 24 June 2007
The CFMEU responded to Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey's release of video footage from the Q-Con construction site in WA with the following statement.
[ full story ]
Statement from CFMEU Construction National Office regarding ALP decision on Joe McDonald membership 22 June 2007
The CFMEU disagrees with the ALP National Executive Council's decision to move to expel Joe McDonald from the Labor.
[ full story ]
Press Statement by CFMEU WA Branch assistant secretary Joe MacDonald 21 June 2007
[ full story ]
CFMEU demands national safety blitz on elevated work platforms 18 June 2007
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) is demanding a national safety blitz on the use of elevated work platforms after recent workplace incidents, including the death of a construction worker in Port Hedland.
[ full story ]
Lloyd should resign over CFMEU slander 04 June 2007
The CFMEU today called on Australian Building and Construction Commission commissioner John Lloyd to resign after falsely accusing a CFMEU official of threatening to kill an ABCC inspector.
[ full story ]
CFMEU Calls on ABCC to Detail Allegations 04 June 2007
CFMEU Construction national secretary Dave Noonan today challenged Australian Building and Construction Commission commissioner John Lloyd to name the union official accused of threatening to kill one of his inspectors.
[ full story ]

May 2007

CFMEU concerned with delay to abolish ABCC 31 May 2007
The CFMEU today raised concerns with the ALP’s decision to delay abolishing the Australian Building and Construction Commission until 2010.
[ full story ]
Crane incident shows up inadequacies of Comcare for construction 25 May 2007
[ full story ]
ABCC targetting individual workers - Unions to boycott industry roundtable 21 May 2007
The CFMEU has called on all unions to boycott an industry roundtable organised by the Australian Building and Construction Commission because of a spate of prosecutions of individual workers.
[ full story ]
Sloppy Joe doesn't understand his own laws 18 May 2007
Federal Workplace Relations Minister Joe Hockey should stand down until he properly understands his portfolio, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]
Building employers put politics ahead of industry 14 May 2007
Building workers today accused the Master Builders Association of playing politics with the industry by pressuring the ALP to continue with the discredited Australian Building and Construction Commission.
[ full story ]
Labor trades schools will clean up Howard's apprentice mess 11 May 2007
The CFMEU today welcomed the ALP’s commitment to promote trades education through high schools as the first step to addressing the Howard Government’s neglect of apprenticeships.
[ full story ]

April 2007

Hockey praises 100% union building site, but fails to talk to workers 18 April 2007
The Minister for Workplace Relations, the Hon Joe Hockey MP, yesterday heaped praise on a Grocon building site in Melbourne with a 100% unionised workforce, saying it was “a living, breathing example of industrial peace.”
[ full story ]
Howard's ABCC raises white flag on 'blue flu' 02 April 2007
After a long and costly investigation, the Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) has confirmed that no legal action will be taken against anyone over the so-called ‘blue flu’ dispute on the CTA site in Perth in 2005.
[ full story ]

March 2007

457 visa scams hurting NT workers 05 March 2007
The Howard Government must freeze all new 457 Visa applications in the Northern Territory, after revelations this morning prove unscrupulous employers are using guest workers to drive down wages for Australian construction workers.
[ full story ]

February 2007

Darwin visa scams worst in Australia 24 February 2007
Darwin is on the verge of becoming the national capital for guest worker scams, costing many Territorians the benefits of the current economic boom, the leader of the national Construction Union warned today.
[ full story ]

January 2007

New Workplace Relations Minister must end discrimination against construction workers 23 January 2007
The new Workplace Relations Minister, The Hon. Joe Hockey MP, must stop treating construction workers as second-class citizens and repeal the draconian Building and Construction Industry Improvement Act, warns the National Secretary of the Construction and General Division of the CFMEU, Mr Dave Noonan.
[ full story ]
Building workers to give Blundstone the boot 17 January 2007
Construction workers would be encouraged to ditch their Blundstones if the company moves production off shore, the CFMEU warned today.
[ full story ]

December 2006

Scrooge is back in town 14 December 2006
Construction workers relying on transitional Awards or minimum rates are missing out on the Fair Pay Commission’s $27 increase from December 1, thanks to a manoeuvre by the Master Builders to reduce the increase paid.
[ full story ]
CFMEU response to Master Builders on training: ‘let’s all put our shoulders to the wheel’ 07 December 2006
Australia’s largest construction union, the CFMEU, welcomes the Master Builders’ Training Blueprint, launched by the Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, the Hon Gary Hardgrave MP today.
[ full story ]

November 2006

Australian Industrial laws and freedom of expression 20 November 2006
The implications of Howard's construction laws for political protest - new paper by National Legal Officer, Tom Roberts.
[ full story ]
Construction workers lose on rate rise Quinella 06 November 2006
Construction workers will be hit doubly hard if interest rates go up on Melbourne Cup Day as expected, the CFMEU warned today.
[ full story ]

October 2006

Police State – Workers Lose Right to Choose Lawyers 12 October 2006
The Federal Court has today ruled a federal government agency has the power to prevent a worker it is interrogating from being represented by a lawyer of his choice.
[ full story ]

September 2006

WFTU calls for ‘actions of solidarity’ in support of WA107 19 September 2006
The World Federation of Trade Unions has called on its affiliates to organise actions of solidarity and support the 107 building workers being prosecuted by the Howard Government in Western Australia.
[ full story ]
Dave Noonan elected as National Secretary of the CFMEU Construction & General Division 13 September 2006
Dave Noonan was elected as National Secretary of the CFMEU Construction & General Division on September 12. He was unopposed for the position.
[ full story ]

August 2006

Construction workers nervous ahead of first court appearance today 29 August 2006
Families and supporters of 107 Western Australian workers being prosecuted under the new IR laws will hold rallies to mark the first appearance of the workers before the Federal Court today, Tuesday, 29 August 2006.
[ full story ]
Union leader faces massive fines for defending workers 28 August 2006
The Assistant National Secretary of the CFMEU Construction Division Dave Noonan faces fines of up to $2.5 million under legal action to be initiated by the Howard Government this week.
[ full story ]
ACTU urges support for 107 West Australian Families on August 29th 25 August 2006
ACTU President Sharan Burrow urges concerned Australians to join her to rally in support of the 107 Western Australian families who appear before the Federal Court on Tuesday, August 29th.
[ full story ]
Persecuted building worker sacked 09 August 2006
It seems clear that a Perth building worker has lost his job because he spoke out against fines that he and 107 of his workmates face for standing up for their rights, Mr John Sutton, National Secretary of the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]
Minister Hardgrave Should Come Clean on Apprentice Numbers 08 August 2006
There is crisis in Apprenticeship numbers in Australia, which are at their lowest since 1990 and the Howard Government is fudging the figures, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]

July 2006

Federal Government policies will cost tens of thousand construction jobs 27 July 2006
The Howard Government’s mismanagement of the economy will cost tens of thousands of construction jobs, CFMEU National Secretary, John Sutton said today.
[ full story ]
Persecuted building workers begins tour 20 July 2006
Perth building worker, Mal Peters faces a fine of $28,000 simply for standing up for his rights at work, Mr John Sutton, newly elected National Secretary of the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]
Product Warning Re Imported Plywood 19 July 2006
The Engineered Wood Products Association of Australasia (EWPAA) has today released a warning notice about substituting imported PS1-95 Industrial Plywood for AS/NZS 2269 Structural Plywood.
[ full story ]
Newly elected leader of the CFMEU 19 July 2006
The newly elected National Secretary of the CFMEU has vowed to redouble the union¹s campaign against Australia¹s extreme labour laws.
[ full story ]
Charged For Taking A Stand – A New Attack On Workers Rights 07 July 2006
The decision by the Howard Government to personally prosecute 107 building workers and fine them up to $28,0000 each opened a new front in the attack on workers rights, the CFMEU warned today.
[ full story ]

June 2006

Trade Deal Can't Trade Aussie Jobs To China 20 June 2006
The Howard Government should not sign any trade deal with China before it conducts a full inquiry into the current use of workers on short-term visas in the Australian workforce, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]
A better way for Public Private Partnerships 18 June 2006
Taxpayers will save money and get better value for much needed infrastructure by setting up a public body to compete with Macquarie Bank and other private financiers, under a proposal released by the CFMEU.
[ full story ]

May 2006

Immigration middle men must be investigated 29 May 2006
The CFMEU today called on the Howard Government to launch an inquiry into immigration agents bringing guest workers into the Australian workforce.
[ full story ]

April 2006

Minister Andrews Drunk On Power 06 April 2006
The Howard Government today walked away from its commitment to have regulations limiting union involvement in the construction industry debated by Federal Parliament.
[ full story ]

February 2006

CFMEU & Bovis Lend Lease register national agreement 21 February 2006
One of Australia’s largest global construction companies, Bovis Lend Lease, has registered a collective agreement with the CFMEU that will provide certainty and security on construction projects across Australia for the next three years, CFMEU Construction national secretary John Sutton said today.
[ full story ]
Fast Track is the Wrong Track 14 February 2006
Australian safety standards and workmanship are under threat because of a Federal Government decision to dramatically reduce the checks and balances for foreign workers, CFMEU Construction national secretary John Sutton said today.
[ full story ]
Guest worker standards must be upheld 09 February 2006
Tomorrow’s Council of Australia Governments (COAG) meeting must reject a federal government proposal to water down scrutiny given to guest workers entering Australia, CFMEU construction national secretary John Sutton said today.
[ full story ]

December 2005

Skill shortages and apprentice training: Radio National ‘Perspectives’ 16 December 2005
Inside the palatial expanse of Le Royale Meridien hotel in the southern Indian coastal city of Chennai, the Australian Government held a three-day Immigration Expo in October this year to attract migrants that it hopes will solve our nation’s skill shortage.
[ full story ]
Indonesian workers protest against Howard’s laws at Australian Embassy 12 December 2005
[ full story ]
Obituary: Senator Peter Cook 07 December 2005
[ full story ]

November 2005

CFMEU sounds trades warning 24 November 2005
Trade apprenticeships risk falling from the reach of young Australians because of low wages and a lack of commitment by employers and government, the CFMEU will warn today.
[ full story ]
ILO ruling compromises global contracts 21 November 2005
The International Labour Organisation ruling against the Howard Government’s construction industrial relations laws pushes Australia outside the mainstream of global labour law, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]
Building Taskforce loses another claim against CFMEU 16 November 2005
The latest court failure by the Building Industry Taskforce has exposed their ‘cloak and dagger’ tactics once again, after they were found to have secretly recorded a conversation with a Brisbane site manager.
[ full story ]
Class War — It’s on 03 November 2005
The sweeping attacks on workers’ rights, including the very existence of trade unions in Australia, represents a reversion to old fashioned class warfare, says John Sutton Construction & General CFMEU.
[ full story ]
New Code A Nightmare for Building Industry 01 November 2005
Federal Government intervention in the construction industry will waste taxpayer money, drive down building standards and hurt productive relationships between unions and employers, the CFMEU warned today.
[ full story ]

October 2005

Building watchdog attacks democratic rights 19 October 2005
The Prime Minister must guarantee that workers attending protests against his industrial relations changes will not be subject to criminal charges or massive fines, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]
CFMEU calls for State Governments to protect home owners, investors and workers 17 October 2005
The CFMEU is expected to call on all State Labor Governments to establish bodies with the powers to protect the rights of building workers and homeowners at its national conference today.
[ full story ]
MBA ‘OHS Blueprint’ would lead to poorer safety, says union 14 October 2005
The Master Builders Australian Blueprint for Occupational Health and Safety, launched on September 27, pays lip service to reducing the incidence of work related injuries and fatalities and puts forward few practical proposals to achieve these goals, the CFMEU says in an evaluation issued today.
[ full story ]

September 2005

Low wage path no solution to apprentice crisis 21 September 2005
The Howard Government’s plans to take over control of apprentices will back fire and force more young Australians to leave the trades, the CFMEU warned today.
[ full story ]
Taxpayer-funded gloss job ducks the real story 16 September 2005
The Building Industry Taskforce report released today is a piece of taxpayer-funded propaganda that glosses over significant failings by a federal government agency, the CFMEU construction secretary John Sutton said today.
[ full story ]
Global Asbestos Protests Target Canada 08 September 2005
Australian workers will join protests around the globe on Friday (Sept 9) against the Canadian Government’s ongoing support for the export of asbestos products.
[ full story ]
A dark day for Australian workers 07 September 2005
Australian workers will, for the first time, be subject to imprisonment for refusing to dob in (inform on) fellow workers who take part in industrial action, under laws passed by the Senate today.
[ full story ]

August 2005

Federal Government breaks Annual Leave Promise 30 August 2005
Building companies that agree to entrench annual leave and overtime entitlements will be struck off government tender lists, the CFMEU warned today.
[ full story ]
Building workers back journalists on Free Speech 25 August 2005
Howard Government attacks on the right to free speech that have left two Melbourne journalists facing jail are part of a crackdown on civil liberties that is also hitting building workers, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]
Senate urged to review extreme building laws 17 August 2005
The CFMEU today urged the new Senate not to rubber-stamp new building industry laws that will create a new low for workers’ rights in Australia.
[ full story ]
Building Laws set new low in industrial rights 11 August 2005
Construction industry legislation passed by the House of Representatives today should concern all Australian workers, the CFMEU said today.
[ full story ]
New laws require building workers to dob in their mates or go to jail 10 August 2005
The Federal Parliament will debate new legislation for the building industry this afternoon, which will force building workers to dob in their mates or go to jail, the CFMEU Construction Union said today.
[ full story ]
Secret worker files on government agenda 08 August 2005
The national construction union today called on the Federal Government to confirm that it would be keeping secret files of workers’ records of industrial action under new laws to go before Parliament tomorrow.
[ full story ]
Government attack on workers to start in building industry 05 August 2005
The Howard Government has revealed it plans to push through hardline changes to the building industry when it takes control of the Senate next week.
[ full story ]

July 2005

Secret recording at heart of another failed building prosecution 18 July 2005
The Federal Court today dismissed another trade union prosecution by the federal government’s Building Industry Taskforce, involving the secret recording of an organiser attempting to police safety standards.
[ full story ]
Union to building industry – give peace a chance! 14 July 2005
The head of Australia’s main construction union will today call on construction industry employers to work around the federal government’s ideological industrial relations agenda.
[ full story ]
Govt finds new way to use taxpayer funds to attack workers’ rights 13 July 2005
Federal Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews has today confirmed he intends to use tax payers’ funds to pressure employers into attacking the rights of building workers, the CFMEU Construction Union said today.
[ full story ]

June 2005

Construction Union leader briefs Central Queensland 29 June 2005
CFMEU Construction national secretary John Sutton will travel to Central Queensland on Wednesday and Thursday to warn workers of the dangers of the Howard Government’s attack on workers rights.
[ full story ]
Terror-style powers for War on Unions 22 June 2005
All Australians should be concerned about new building industry regulations that attack their basic civil rights, the CFMEU warned today.
[ full story ]
Apprentice wages key to skill shortage 09 June 2005
The CFMEU will today call for a major shake-up of wages for building apprentices in order to resolve the skills crisis in the industry.
[ full story ]
Building industry 'spy' fronts Senate 03 June 2005
The director of the federal government’s Building Industry Taskforce has today left the way clear to use covert listening devices and other spying techniques on building workers.
[ full story ]

May 2005

'Future of work' to be tabled in Parliament today 26 May 2005
The federal government will today table legislation attacking the rights of building workers which give all Australians a vision of their future at work, the CFMEU warned today.
[ full story ]
Farmers are latest victim of Howard’s ideological war 18 May 2005
Australian farmers are being caught in the crossfire of the Howard Government’s push to cut the civil liberties of building workers and push them onto secret individual contracts.
[ full story ]
Public to fund assault on civil rights 11 May 2005
The Federal Government has tripled the funding for the organisation set up to harass building workers and take away their civil rights.
[ full story ]

April 2005

Vanstone misses the point on migration and training, again — Union 14 April 2005
Immigration Minister Amanda Vanstone’s announcement this afternoon of an increase of 20,000 skilled migrants for 2005-06 is another short-term fix that will not solve our skill shortages, says Australia’s construction Union.
[ full story ]
CFMEU will support members in latest extortion threat against Multiplex 11 April 2005
A national phone hook-up of state and federal leaders of the CFMEU Construction & General Division resolved the following position in regard to the latest extortion threat against Multiplex and specifically the threats to the lives of our members operating cranes on Multiplex construction sites.
[ full story ]

March 2005

Howard Govt prepares for construction ‘waterfront’ — regardless of the cost to taxpayers 09 March 2005

The Building and Construction Improvement Bill introduced in Parliament by Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews today confirms the Howard Government’s determination to interfere in Enterprise Agreements being negotiated by construction workers, regardless of the cost to Australian taxpayers.

[ full story ]
Andrews shifts goal posts on strike rules and workers bear costs 02 March 2005
Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews’s speech to the Master Builders today shows the extraordinary lengths this Government is prepared to go to, in order to crush construction workers and their Union, the CFMEU Construction Union said today.
[ full story ]
CFMEU calms workers’ concerns re extortion claim against Multiplex 01 March 2005
Australia’s construction union, the CFMEU, has held meetings with workers on Multiplex jobs to address members’ concerns about an extortion claim faced by the company.
[ full story ]

February 2005

Temporary migration no solution to skills shortage, says CFMEU 24 February 2005
“Guest workers do not provide a long term solution to Australia’s skills crisis”, says John Sutton, National Secretary of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union, Construction & General Division.
[ full story ]
Howard Govt denies contractors ‘right to choose’ 17 February 2005

The federal Government’s Trade Practices Amendment (Small Business Protection) Bill will deny independent contractors the right to choose which organization will represent them in negotiations over contracts and rates, the CFMEU Construction Union said today.

[ full story ]
CFMEU will pursue direct negotiations with clients to get justice for Walters’ workers 08 February 2005
Following further indications of the hopelessly insolvent state of Walter Constructions at the Creditors meeting in Sydney this afternoon, CFMEU Construction National Office confirms that the Union will be pursuing direct negotiations with project clients to secure its members’ unpaid wages and entitlements.
[ full story ]
CFMEU vows to fight for workers’ entitlements as Construction Giant hits the wall 02 February 2005
Walter Constructions, one of Australia’s major construction companies, has been placed in administration as its German parent company has applied for protection from creditors under German law.
[ full story ]

January 2005

How Unions are helping Tsunami victims 20 January 2005
Australian union leaders are meeting in Sydney today to consider a strategic co-operation between Australian unions and business to aid in the long-term re-construction of tsunami affected countries. The CFMEU announced that it would make an initial contribution of $250,000 to the ACTU Union Aid Abroad - APHEDA Tsunami Appeal. For CFMEU National Secretary John Maitland's comments go to the CFMEU National Home Page International section
[ full story ]
Union Leaders plan long-term reconstruction of Tsunami devasted areas 20 January 2005
Union Leaders meet in Sydney today to Plan Long-term Reconstruction of Tsunami Devastated Regions. Australian union leaders are meeting in Sydney today to consider their role in aiding the long-term reconstruction of tsunami-affected countries.
[ full story ]

December 2004

Unions & asbestos groups secure James Hardie compo agreement 21 December 2004
The ACTU, Unions NSW and asbestos groups have today signed a Heads of Agreement with former asbestos products manufacturer James Hardie for what is believed to be the largest personal injury settlement in Australia's history.
[ full story ]
Govt should punish negligent employers, not Unions 09 December 2004
The South Australian Industrial Court’s decision to fine construction giant Baulderstone Hornibrook a mere $55,000 after 26-year-old Lee Alexander was killed at its Pier Hotal job at Glenelg in 2002 has prompted Australia’s main construction union, the CFMEU, to call on the Howard Government to pursue negligent employers rather than constantly attack unions and workers.
[ full story ]
New Bill proves Govt out to attack all unions 02 December 2004
Key elements of the Howard Government’s new laws to restrict unions’ right to enter workplaces are a straight lift from the ‘special’ provisions drawn up for the building and construction industry this year, says Australia’s main construction union, the CFMEU.
[ full story ]

November 2004

World Asbestos Congress calls for international ban on Hardie products 23 November 2004
The World Asbestos Congress, being held this week in Tokyo, Japan, has condemned the actions of James Hardie for restructuring and denying compensation to Australian asbestos victims and called for a ban on James Hardie products until justice is won for Australian victims.
[ full story ]
Construction Bill a cocktail of conflict and bureaucracy — union 04 November 2004
Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews’ announcement today that the Howard Government will re-introduce its so-called ‘Building and Construction Industry Improvement Bill’ to the Senate in 2005 is bad news for the productive $46 billion industry, the Construction Union said.
[ full story ]

October 2004

Construction workers call for Labor vote 07 October 2004
The CFMEU Construction and General Division, which is the largest component part of the CFMEU with over 120,000 members, calls on all Australian workers to vote on October 9 to defeat the anti-worker Howard Government.
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Construction workers protest Canadian Government’s support for asbestos production and export 05 October 2004
CFMEU members are taking their concerns about the deadly asbestos fibre to the Canadian High Commission in Canberra today at 11.00am.
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September 2004

Skills crisis: Howard Government asleep at the wheel for 8 ½ years – latest proposal of little value 22 September 2004
Prime Minister John Howard’s latest election give-away to apprentices will not solve the crisis in traditional apprenticeships, the CFMEU Construction Union said today.
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Hardie Fighters Go Dutch 17 September 2004
Beneficiaries of James Hardie’s international operations will face representatives of dying Australians at a showdown in Amsterdam today.
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Union Activities for James Hardie Shareholder Information Session September 15 14 September 2004
CFMEU Construction Branches are joining in rallies for justice for asbestos sufferers to coincide with James Hardie's ‘Shareholder Information Session’ tomorrow, September 15 2004.
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Workers deserve better – say union election ads 13 September 2004
CFMEU Construction and Mining and the Maritime Union are launching a radio ad campaign this week urging workers and their families to reject another three years of Howard Government.
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August 2004

National campaign of action in support of victims of James Hardie asbestos products 25 August 2004
The CFMEU Construction Divisional Executive passed a resolution today launching a national campaign of action in support of victims of James Hardie asbestos products.
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Union says bosses must pay higher wages, not plunder public purse, to solve skill shortages 16 August 2004
The announcement by the Australian Industry Group, that it is seeking further income support and wage subsidies to address declining rates of trades apprenticeships, will not solve the looming skills shortage in the building and construction industry, CFMEU Construction National Secretary, John Sutton, said today.
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Union disappointed with school-based apprentices decision 06 August 2004
The CFMEU Construction Division is disappointed with the Australian Industrial Relations Commission decision to permit school-based apprentices to be employed under the National Building and Construction Industry Award.
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July 2004

Construction union welcomes ALP’s tough line on bosses who exploit foreign workers 21 July 2004
Australia’s construction union, the CFMEU, welcomes the ALP commitment to impose heavier fines on employers, who repeatedly exploit foreign workers.
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June 2004

Union leads debate at National Housing Affordability Summit 30 June 2004
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CFMEU welcomes John Holland’s progressive move on paid parental leave 03 June 2004
The National Office of the CFMEU has today welcomed the decision by major contractor John Holland to offer 13 weeks’ paid maternity leave and one week’s paid paternity leave to its staff.
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May 2004

CFMEU condemns Govt’s abolition of National Safety Commission 18 May 2004
Australia’s construction union, the CFMEU has strongly condemned the Howard Government’s decision, announced today, to abolish the National Occupational Health and Safety Commission.
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$21 million for safety v. $105 million to attack unions? 12 May 2004
Australia’s construction union, the CFMEU said today that it is appalled at Treasurer Peter Costello’s decision to waste $105 million taxpayers’ dollars attacking construction unions while allocating only $21 million to addressing safety in this most dangerous industry
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Union tells Govts to follow German ‘stick and carrot’ line on skilled labour crisis 10 May 2004
Australia’s construction union, the CFMEU, is calling on the Federal Coalition and State Labor Governments to boost the employment of apprentices in the construction industry by punishing employers who fail to train and rewarding those who meet training targets.
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April 2004

Response to Employment Advocate: ‘All who benefit must contribute’ — CFMEU 29 April 2004
Australia’s construction Union, the CFMEU, has responded to the Employment Advocate’s report on Freedom of Association released today with a strong defense of union members using moral persuasion to encourage fellow workers to join the Union.
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International Workers’ Memorial Day 28 April 2004
CFMEU members will join other unions, workers and their families and friends to participate in special ceremonies dedicated to all workers who haven’t returned home safely while they were trying to earn a living for themselves and their families.
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March 2004

‘Permanent Building Taskforce shows Govt knows its strategy floundering’ — union 26 March 2004
Workplace Relations Minister Kevin Andrews’s announcement of a permanent Taskforce for the Building Industry reflects how badly the Senate Inquiry into the Building Industry Legislation has gone for the Howard Government, the CFMEU Construction Union said today.
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Pakistan unions secure victories for workers 25 March 2004
The All Pakistan Federation of United Trade Unions (APFUTU) persuaded the Punjab Government to withdraw proposed anti-worker legislation and won the release of a family of 11 forced/bonded-workers in Islamabad in mid-March. In the same week, the APFUTU Women's Wing demanded that the Government raise the representation of women in political institutions from 33% to their actual numbers in the population — CFMEU Construction delegates report on the International Women's Day Conference in Gujrat.
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February 2004

Scrap Government’s union busters, says Construction Union 05 February 2004
The CFMEU has called on the Federal Government to scrap the Interim Building Industry Task Force (IBITF) set up during the Cole Royal Commission, after it was revealed that the Task Force does not pursue employers who have underpaid workers by breaching federal awards and agreements.
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Howard Govt disastrous policies fuel looming housing crisis — says union 03 February 2004
Australia’s largest construction union, the CFMEU, blames the Howard Government’s “disastrous housing policies” for the crisis looming over the housing industry today.
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Construction Union calls for Govt and private investment in affordable housing 03 February 2004
Australia’s largest construction union, the CFMEU, is calling on the Federal Government to restore Commonwealth investment in public housing stock and to introduce a system for private investment in affordable housing.
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Union counters destructive legislation with positive proposals for improving the industry 02 February 2004
The Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union told the Senate Inquiry into the Building and Construction Industry Sydney’s hearing today that the legislation would seriously disrupt Australia’s highly productive commercial construction industry; place unions in a bureaucratic straightjacket and threaten the civil liberties of construction workers.
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December 2003

Office closed Christmas & New Year holidays 19 December 2003
The CFMEU Construction Division National Office wishes all our members, and Website visitors, a safe and happy Christmas holiday and all the best for 2004.
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Building International resolves to support CFMEU and other construction unions 17 December 2003
The December 6-7 meeting of the UITBB Executive Committee in Havana, Cuba passed the following Resolution in Solidarity with the Australian Building Workers' Union:
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Tile factor jobs go overseas — closure a disgrace says Union 16 December 2003
One of Australia’s biggest tile manufacturers, Johnson Tiles, has announced a further closure of one of their tile lines, due to the pressure of cheap foreign imports.
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Building Industry Legislation unworkable and dangerous 11 December 2003
The rejection of the proposed building industry legislation by all the State Governments showed how unworkable and dangerous the Federal Government's plan was for the industry, the CFMEU said today.
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September 2003

Abbott’s move to health — a vote of no confidence in his expensive, belligerent attack on the construction industry, says union 29 September 2003
The CFMEU Construction Union welcomed the removal of Tony Abbott from the Ministry of Workplace Relations today as a potentially positive sign for the building industry.
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Royal Commission tape taints building industry evidence 29 September 2003
Senate Inquiry should subpoena former Royal Commission CEO, Colin Thatcher to explain investigators’ extreme bias, leading questions and evidence being ignored.
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Cole Damns Own Report 18 September 2003
The CFMEU today called on Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbott to make public the secret volume of the Cole Royal Commission’s report into the Construction Industry.
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Attack on building workers: more of the same 17 September 2003
Tony Abbott’s proposed laws for the construction industry represent an attack on the rights of building workers by a government that has never done anything constructive for Australian workers, the CFMEU said today.
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August 2003

CFMEU demands Minister apply consistent standards 28 August 2003
After being lectured and berated by Tony Abbott for two years and being the subject of a witch-hunt in the form of a Royal Commission, the CFMEU now asks if the same standards will be applied to political heavyweight Tony Abbott.
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CFMEU & Bovis Lend Lease seal national agreement for workers 26 August 2003
Bovis Lend Lease’s construction workforce has secured another national collective agreement, following the certification of the new EBA in the Australian Industrial Relations Commission yesterday.
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July 2003

Abbott’s claims about housing productivity rebuffed by academic 21 July 2003
Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbott’s repeated claim that GDP would be 1.1% higher and $2.3 billion in benefits would flow through to consumers, if Australian commercial construction achieved the labour productivity of the non-union housing sector, cannot be sustained, according to a new report from Newcastle University.
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Union calls for openness on Govt contracts 17 July 2003
The CFMEU Construction Union has raised its concerns about the Federal Government’s handling of its $5 billion construction budget today, as contracts still haven’t been let for Australia Post’s mail facility at Tullamarine, which was due to be completed this month.
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May 2003

Abbott must distance himself from employer who threatened unionists with hit list 09 May 2003
The CFMEU has called on Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbott to publicly condemn the comments of Len Buckeridge, the employer who claimed last week to have pre-paid for contracts to kill 30 unionists.
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Cole Commission fails judicial scrutiny 02 May 2003
A magistrate’s court in Melbourne has today dismissed charges against Victorian Secretary of the CFMEU, Martin Kingham arising from the Cole Royal Commission into the building industry.
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March 2003

Royal Commission Recommendations: $60m worth of failed Liberal IR policies 27 March 2003
Commissioner Cole’s Recommendations for the Building and Construction Industry, handed down in Parliament today, will do nothing to improve the industry – according to the Construction Union.
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Building Royal Commission final report: Union calls on Abbott to tackle real problems 26 March 2003
The $60 million Building Industry Royal Commission report will finally be released to the public through Federal Parliament today — exactly one month after it was delivered to the Governor General.
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Royal Commission findings show anti-union bias, with focus on technical industrial breaches 26 March 2003
The findings of the Royal Commission released in Canberra today is no more than a list of technical industrial breaches, and the result of a Commission process that was fundamentally one sided and biased against the union movement and workers, the CFMEU said today.
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Abbott’s new report contradicts $60m Royal Commission on productivity 17 March 2003
The report launched by the Workplace Relations Minister Tony Abbott on productivity in the construction sector totally contradicted the findings of the $60million Royal Commission, the CFMEU said today.
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Abbott is hoarding Royal Commission report for political ends 07 March 2003
The CFMEU today called for the immediate release of the Royal Commission Report into the Building Industry, accusing Tony Abbott of hoarding the report to fit in with a political timetable.
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February 2003

Commissioner Terence Cole to report to Abbott today 24 February 2003
Tony Abbott will finally be delivered of his $60 million dollar union-bashing war-plan when Royal Commissioner Terrence Cole today hands over the findings of the biggest, most expensive political witch-hunt in Australian political history today.
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Building Union calls for Senate Inquiry into Abbott’s Department’s failure over illegal award breaches by employers 21 February 2003
The National Secretary of the Construction Union, Mr. John Sutton today called for a Senate Inquiry into the failure of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations to pursue money owed to workers under the amount of $10,000.
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Cole Commission legal fees hit $21 million 12 February 2003
The latest round of Senate Estimates Committee meetings has revealed that legal and audit fees for the Cole Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry are now costing taxpayers more than $21 million, up from the $19 million previously estimated.
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Breakthrough on Grocon EBA negotatiations 10 February 2003
"Both Grocon and the CFMEU have today accepted a recommendation from Industrial Relations Commission Vice-President Iain Ross, effectively settling the last point of difference in their enterprise bargaining negotiations.
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National Building Union calls on Canberra to back safety measures in light of construction deaths 10 February 2003
With two weeks to go until the expected release of the final report of the Cole Royal Commission, the national construction union has stepped up lobbying of all Federal MPs and Senators, with the union releasing a safety report, and calling on the Government to adopt strong practical safety measures for the building industry.
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Australian, British and Iraqi building unions oppose War 03 February 2003
Leaders of the Australian Construction Union, the CFMEU, the British UCATT, Construction Workers Federations of India and Bangladesh and the Arab Federation for Construction & Wood Workers passed a strong resolution opposing the war on Iraq at the 5th National Congress of Construction Workers in India on Friday (Jan 31).
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November 2002

CFMEU considers appeal on bias case against Royal Commission 20 November 2002
Australia's largest construction union expressed disappointment at the decision by the Federal Court today to dismiss the union’s application to have the Royal Commissioner into the building industry dismissed for bias.
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Asia/Pacific building unions — actions to improve workers’ livelihoods 20 November 2002
The two-day Asia/Pacific Building Unions seminar concluded successfully in Sydney yesterday, with participants committing to specific actions regarding the movement of labour across countries, as well as to developing stronger co-operation among building unions in the region.
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Asia/Pacific Building Unions conference to challenge WTO direction, reject religious fundamentalism. 18 November 2002
Building and construction unionists from 10 Asian and Pacific countries will meet in Sydney over the next 2 days to discuss issues facing building workers and the construction industry across the region.
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October 2002

CFMEU seeks immediate investigation by Royal Commission into Lake Cargelligo water tower project 31 October 2002
The National Office of the CFMEU has written to the Royal Commission into the Building Industry seeking an immediate investigation into the Lake Cargelligo building site where two workers were killed and three injured.
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CFMEU supports Bali victims with start up donation of $25,000 17 October 2002
The National Office of the CFMEU Construction Division today announced that it would donate $25,000 to the Red Cross Appeal for the victims of the Bali bombing.
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Cole’s mire: Abbott’s folly 10 October 2002
National Press Club Address TODAY Thursday 10th October John Sutton, National Secretary, Construction Division Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
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Abbott's "police force" looking for conflict in building industry 01 October 2002
The opening of the Building and Construction Interim Taskforce in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth was a political stunt aimed at creating conflict in the building industry, the National Secretary of the CFMEU, Mr. John Sutton said today.
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September 2002

Alan Jones calls Royal Commission charges un-Australian 25 September 2002
Sydney talk-show supremo Alan Jones has today criticised the Cole Royal Commission for the bias which leaves a union official facing charges because he refuses to give up the names of union activists. Below: On Perspective on ABC Radio National, Australian Financial Review journalist and former law lecturer, Ashley Crossland, says the bias not only affects the public standing of building unions, but also the authority of Royal Commissions in Australia.
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Royal Commission’s credibility in question over OHS tea party 19 September 2002
The National Secretary of the CFMEU, Mr. John Sutton said that the Royal Commission’s conference on occupational health and safety lacked credibility but was proceeding despite having no agenda and no support from workers or their representatives.
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CFMEU rejects Royal Commission’s lip service on safety 16 September 2002
The National Secretary of the CFMEU, Mr. John Sutton announced today that the union would not be attending the conference called by the Royal Commission on occupational health and safety to be held in Melbourne this week.
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Cole’s statement on bias ‘defies logic and any ordinary sense of fairness’, says CFMEU. 06 September 2002
The National Secretary of the CFMEU, Mr. John Sutton today said that Terence Cole’s decision on the union’s bias application defied logic and an ordinary sense of fairness, and said that the union would be taking the case to the Federal Court.
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Royal Commissioner reserves decision on bias until Friday 02 September 2002
The decision of the Royal Commissioner, Terence Cole to reserve his decision on the CFMEU’s application to stand aside on the basis of bias until Friday shows that the Commissioner understands that this application is a serious challenge to his credibility, the CFMEU said today.
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August