Question Time

CFMEU

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:33): I seek leave to give a brief explanation before asking a question of the Attorney-General on the topic of the CFMEU.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: In July, the Premier of this state requested the South Australian police commissioner investigate any links between the CFMEU and bikie gangs here in South Australia. It was reported that the Premier received that report on Tuesday 3 September and that the Premier is quoted as saying:

Their—

SAPOL's—

advice on the back of that exercise to us is that there has been no evidence of criminal behaviour undertaken by South Australian elements of the CFMEU.

The CFMEU in South Australia was run by the Victorian division, the same division that is now accused of bikie links, intimidation, corruption and violence. In South Australia, the Master Builders Association has had its staff cars attacked and windscreen-wipers broken in a suspected warning to the peak body of the building and construction industry.

The federal government-appointed administrator of the CFMEU, Mr Mark Irving KC, has reportedly told the media that the corruption and coercion in the union ranks are worse than has been reported. Mr Irving also reportedly attacked state and federal police forces for their failure to adequately act on the alliance between underworld figures, including bikies, and certain union and company bosses as well as the culture of violence and corruption it had spawned within the unions. My questions are:

1. Has the Attorney seen the advice from South Australia Police provided to the Premier regarding the criminal activities of the CFMEU in South Australia?

2. Was any criminal wrongdoing found to have been undertaken by those Victorian elements in South Australia?

3. Does the Attorney see this as an end of any investigation into the CFMEU?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (14:35): In relation to the honourable member's questions, I am aware that there has been a response provided to the Premier in relation to requests the Premier has made of the police in relation to the CFMEU in South Australia. In relation to any wrongdoing, if anyone has any evidence of wrongdoing, evidence that rises to a criminal law, as I have said before I would encourage them to absolutely come forward.

As I said in the last sitting week of parliament, I think most people agree that the Victorian CFMEU's involvement in South Australia has been a failure. With what we have seen reported in national media in relation to the Victorian branch of the CFMEU, it is appropriate that action has been taken by the federal government and the administrator appointed.