Court findings of yet another example of union bullying has exposed the increasingly common practice of officials hiding behind safety to justify illegal conduct and gives the Parliament yet another reason to pass the Ensuring Integrity Laws.
In handing down $59,500 in fines to the CFMMEU and an official, the Federal Court found that the official – apparently employed as a “safety adviser” within the union “Health and Safety Unit” – abused and threatened an actual Safe Work Victoria inspector.
Denita Wawn, CEO of Master Builders Australia said, “The decision highlights the pattern of illegal behavior that building unions continue to roll-out on construction sites across the country.”
“It’s not the first time building unions have abused government inspectors and makes a mockery of the union’s claim that they put safety first – this is simply not true. Instead, they seem to see safety as a justification for thuggery.”
“Only last year we saw Queensland government safety inspectors refuse to go near sites with building unions because they were worried about their own safety – that sends a very clear message and we hope the Parliament is listening”
“When reading the decision, you can almost feel Justice Anastassiou’s frustration at building unions who won’t play by the rules, never say sorry, never admit wrongdoing, and just keep doing what they want, when they want. In fact, the Judge even made
