Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union

The Hon. B.R. HOOD (14:59): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Industrial Relations regarding the CFMEU.

Leave granted.

The Hon. B.R. HOOD: Concerning allegations were aired recently regarding the former South Australian CFMEU branch head, Marcus Pare, resulting in a new investigation into improper union spending, kickbacks, underworld links and threatening behaviour. The Premier told FIVEaa this week that upon hearing of the new allegations, despite being on holidays at the time he phoned the Prime Minister's office, federal minister Tony Burke and the police commissioner straightaway to discuss the examination of those involved.

Meanwhile in Victoria, building unions are warning of a snap 24-hour shutdown of the state's construction industry for fears union organisers could be targeted by outlaw bikies and their criminal associates. My questions to the Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations are:

1. Has the Attorney now met with the CFMEU administrator, Mark Irving KC, to discuss his investigation into the branch, as he said he would a month ago?

2. If so, what can he report back about that investigation, or the latest one?

3. What actions has the Minister for Industrial Relations taken in direct response to these concerning new developments?

4. Is the Attorney aware of any threats to South Australian union organisers, similar to what is happening in Victoria, and associated risks of a shutdown to our own construction industry as a result?

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Mr Hunter, if you want to answer the question you can answer it, but I think the Attorney is capable.

Members interjecting:

The PRESIDENT: Order!

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:00): I thank the honourable member for his question. As I think I heard someone say, it is remarkable that the Hon. Ben Hood has found his voice in this place. Three times the Hon. Ben Hood has been asked if he supports his deputy—

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: Point of order: relevance. That is not the question that was asked.

The PRESIDENT: Attorney, I know that you are getting to the question, so let's go. We are 23 minutes in.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: I am. As I say, I am going to be happy to answer this question, but I do note that three times the Hon. Ben Hood has been asked if he supports his deputy leader in this place, the Hon. Jing Lee. Every single time, the Hon. Ben Hood has refused to do so—has refused to do so. Even today, when asked what he thought that said to the voters, particularly the women of Mount Gambier, that he refuses to support a woman in this chamber, his leader, but is happy to support a bloke in the other chamber, what did we get? Stone silence again. Absolute crickets. It says everything you need to know about the Liberal Party and its culture.

In relation to the CFMEU, I met with the administrator on 7 November 2024 and I was grateful for the update that the administrator was able to provide. As the administrator let me know, he has made it very clear that where an investigation reveals any wrongdoing the investigation may result in action against wrongdoers, including any former officers, particularly if they have contravened the law. The South Australian government welcomes the action taken by the CFMEU administrator and the emphasis that the federal government has taken in placing the union into administration.