Question Time

CFMEU

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI (Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking questions of the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport regarding the CFMEU and its impact on South Australian projects.

Leave granted.

The Hon. N.J. CENTOFANTI: According to an Australian Financial Review report on 8 October 2025, the CFMEU ordered its members to stop work on several Victorian project sites managed by John Holland, including the multibillion-dollar West Gate Tunnel and Metro Tunnel projects. The report stated that these stoppages were ordered to pressure John Holland into withdrawing from a project agreement in South Australia with the rival Australian Workers Union on the $15 billion Torrens to Darlington tunnel, the largest infrastructure project in our state's history. This type of industrial muscle flexing has led to significant project delays and blowouts interstate and raises serious concerns for South Australian taxpayers, subcontractors and workers. My questions to the minister are:

1. Can the minister advise whether any key South Australian infrastructure projects have been delayed, disrupted or threatened as a result of CFMEU industrial action, and what the estimated cost to taxpayers might be?

2. What assurances can the minister provide that major transport and hospital projects, such as the Torrens to Darlington tunnel and the new Women's and Children's Hospital, will not be derailed by union disputes?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Minister for Autism) (14:23): I thank the honourable member for her question. I understand this matter is currently before the Fair Work Commission. While we cannot predict the outcome of what the findings may be, I am advised that the Australian Workers Union is considered the primary union for tunnelling and tunnel segment manufacturing, which is part of the tunnel project. I am further advised that no stoppages have occurred on the River Torrens to Darlington project.

The Department for Infrastructure and Transport has recently implemented updated terms and conditions across all contracts to strengthen and provide protections in relation to the selection and engagement of subcontractors, suppliers and consultants. I am advised these changes include the introduction of increased audit rights and measures to protect against collusion and other behaviours that are determined to be unfavourable to the proper delivery of our projects and set expectations for respectful behaviour.

The state government has zero tolerance for criminal activity, especially on government-funded projects, and we will take whatever action is necessary to strengthen the policies to ensure what has been occurring interstate does not happen here in South Australia.