Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan defends action on CFMEU allegations, says union suspension underway
The federal government is considering stepping in to appoint an independent administrator for the beleaguered CFMEU. The Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is under increasing pressure for failing to act on complaints.
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00:00Controversy can't cancel construction, but the CFMEU is in a spin about corruption allegations
00:09levelled against it.
00:10Do you accept that John Setka has shamed your union?
00:14No, I don't.
00:15I don't accept he's shamed my union.
00:18Labor leaders are being shamed, accused of inaction against allegations of criminal infiltration,
00:24corruption and intimidation by the CFMEU on building sites.
00:28I'm determined to pull out this rotten culture by its roots.
00:31The nine papers revealed complaints were made to the Victorian Premier and the Prime Minister
00:36about threats of violence in 2022.
00:38We do need to be better.
00:40As then-Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Jacinta Allen didn't respond for months,
00:44and then she handballed the complainant to Canberra, where it was sent to an inactive
00:49email.
00:50Here in Victoria, it is the Commonwealth Government who wields the industrial relations powers.
00:55A separate complaint in May got a swifter response.
00:58I acted immediately.
01:00Raising the potential seriousness of possible criminal activity in worksites with the Victorian
01:04Police Chief Commissioner.
01:06The reports of the last few days don't surprise me at all.
01:08The tentacles of organised crime, outlaw motorcycle gang members stretch everywhere.
01:13A fresh referral to police has been made.
01:16With no Prime Ministerial press conference, the heat was on the Victorian Premier for
01:20a second day, where she outlined fast-tracked laws to crack down on bikies on worksites.
01:25But as for responsibility for what happened on government projects on her watch.
01:29I absolutely accept responsibility that a lot in partnership with the Federal Government,
01:33we absolutely need to take further strong action, further strong action to address this
01:39rotten culture that has been exposed.
01:42This is the problem with Premier Jacinta Allen.
01:45She never takes responsibility for anything.
01:47The Albanese Government is still considering what further action to take.
01:50It's merely appointing an independent administrator to the union.
01:53It's also considered deregistration.
01:55So far Labor is unhappy with the CFMEU's response.
01:59It also gives it an opportunity to look tough ahead of a Federal election.
02:03Big builders are also seizing the moment.
02:05Our view is much stronger laws need to be implemented for any unions that undertake
02:12a disregard for the law.
02:14Laying the foundations for change.
02:17For more UN videos visit www.un.org