CFMEU to be put into admin ‘next week’

All branches of the militant CFMEU could be forced into administration from as early as next week after Labor and the Coalition struck a deal to pass the stalled legislation, turning on the Greens for failing to rule out accepting future political donations from the beleaguered union. 

The stalled legislation was passed with 39 yes and 10 no votes, after the government conceded to the Coalition’s demands to increase the minimum administration term to three years, plus conditions for the administrator to report to parliament every six months and attend senate estimates.

While there won’t be a legislated ban on the CFMEU from giving political donations while under administration, Coalition workplace spokeswoman Michaelia Cash said she had received assurances from minister Murray Watt that safeguards will be put in place. 

It will now be up to Senator Murray Watt to appoint an administrator, which is understood to most likely be Victorian barrister Mark Irving KC, after he was tapped by a court application by the Fair Work Commission.

“Without prejudging that matter... the first decision I would need to make is whether it’s in the public interest to determine a scheme of administration,” he said.

He said he was “certainly hopeful” the scheme of administration would be finalised in the “next few days,” and said the government was aiming to place the CFMEU in administration “over the next week, or so”.

While Senator Watt said Monday’s progress was a “good step forward”, he rebuked the Coalition for demanding a number of amendments, and delaying the bill.

“Let’s just hope that no assets have been shifted within the CFMEU or other action taken over the last few days as a result of the coalition not agreeing to this last week,” he said.

“The reality is that there are a range of organisations connected to the CFMEU, there’s potential for them to be able to move things around (but) we do think that the scope of the administration is wide enough to capture that kind of activity.”

Despite Monday’s victory, Senator Cash has flagged further fights on safeguards, including a Bill introduced on Monday which would restore the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), which was shut down by the Albanese government.

“I send a very clear message to Labor; yes, we have strengthened the Bill. Yes, it is a better Bill as a result of the Coalition … however stakeholders and the Coalition have made it very clear (that) this is but the first step in the process,” she said.

However Senator Watt dashed the legislation, calling the ABCC a “dismal failure”.

“All of these allegations occurred on its watch. We don’t see a reason to bring it back,” he said.

Earlier on Monday, the Coalition and Labor united to slam the Greens for stalling the CFMEU administrator Bill, accusing seeking donations from the union.

Liberal Senator Simon Birmingham moved a motion accusing the Greens of “blocking every single effort to try to hold corruption, lawlessness, thuggery in the union movement to account,” with Labor joining in on the pile on.

He credited the delay over financial links between the union and the minor party.

“We’ve negotiated amendments. Those negotiations have are continuing, and we want to see this legislation passed,” Senator Birmingham said.

“Do you know how many Green senators have spoken on the legislation to date? Absolutely none,” he continued.

“The Greens’ silence leaves us all asking, why do we need to follow the money trail?”

In a fiery back and forth, Greens senator David Shoebridge denied the accusation.

He said the party had not received political donations from the CFMEU since 2013.

While Senator Shoebridge said he didn’t “see that changing,” the Greens have not placed a ban on future donations, which has been taken by Labor.

Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt said the Greens had purposefully avoided debate on the CFMEU, and demanded they share their position on donations.

“The party that makes their name, running around, bagging other people, usually Labor, but the minute they’re held to account for their own,” he said.

“The only reason the Greens can be possibly opposing the legislation that we’re putting forward is that they are desperate to carve off donations to prop up their campaigns”.

Following the debate, Senator Shoebridge accused Senator Birmingham of creating “political cover” for Labor.

“We’re trying to have a genuine debate about the principles. And you lot, collectively, drag it into the gutter and make it about the way your politics works,” he said.

The safe passage of the administration Bill through the Senate comes after days of furious debate, and it will now be up to the government to determine when the Bill will be voted on in the Senate.

The agreement has been welcomed by Australian Constructors Association (ACA) chief executive Jon Davies said it was a “necessary first step,” however more work needed to be done to ensure there wasn’t a repeat of the situation.

“There will be significant work required by the government, industry, clients, the administrator and the unions to make these new arrangements work and to prevent this situation happening again,” he said.

DUTTON’S BILL TO RETURN BUILDING WATCHDOG

On Monday, Mr Dutton also introduced the Coalition’s Bill to revive the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), which was shuttered under the Labor government.

Flagged by Senator Cash last week, the Bill says the ABCC will restore “a strong regulatory framework,” and will allow the commissioner to obtain information to investigate breaches of the law.

The explanatory memorandum also included a cause which “prohibits unlawful industrial actions, such as strikes, lockouts, and picketing, which disrupt building work”.

INDONESIAN PRESIDENT-ELECT VISITS

Indonesia’s president-elect Prabowo Subianto will be in Canberra for his first visit to Australia since winning the Indonesian general election in February.

A strongman figure with a populist flair, Mr Subianto stands to inherit the largest economy in Southeast Asia – a key destination for Australian products.

Indonesia is also crucial in Australia’s efforts to counter people smuggling and human-trafficking.

“Indonesia and Australia are the closest of partners and I welcome the opportunity to meet with President-elect Prabowo ahead of his inauguration in October,” Anthony Albanese said.

“My government is committed to working with Indonesia to shape the type of region we both seek – one that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, and respectful of sovereignty.”

Mr Subianto, who serves as defence minister under incumbent president Joko Widodo, will also meet with defence counterpart Richard Marles.

KEY BILLS FACE SENATE

Earlier, the Prime Minister said he was “confident” his government would get its CFMEU and NDIS Bills through the Senate after a lacklustre first week back after the winter break.

Pressure is mounting on the government to taper the ballooning NDIS, with predictions the scheme could cost $50bn per year by 2025-2026.

It would also tighten eligibility for new applicants.

Mr Albanese told the ABC on Monday that everyone knew “the NDIS needs to be made sustainable”.

“It needs to be put back to the purpose for which it was established by the former Labor government,” he said.

“We are looking to create, not cuts, but a growth of 8 per cent … and these reforms are common sense, making sure that it’s delivering for the people it should.”

FRESH POLL SPELLS TROUBLE FOR ALBO

The government is trailing the Coalition on a two-party-preferred basis for a second consecutive month, according to fresh polling data.

The AFR/Freshwater Strategy poll published on Sunday showed the Coalition ahead by 51 per cent to 49 per cent, reinforcing expectations of a Labor minority government after the next election.

Fifty-nine per cent of the 1061 voters surveyed said they were unhappy with where the country was going — a stark contrast to the 28 per cent that were happy.

Among the government’s worst-performing areas were national security, immigration and crime.

While it was also behind the opposition on economic management and cost of living, the government did narrow the gap in those areas by three and five percentage points.

Mr Albanese remained preferred prime minister over Mr Dutton.

The poll was taken at the end of parliament’s first sitting week after the winter break – a week dominated by political blustering on all sides while legislation sat in a constipated senate.

More to come