Court case collapse reveals ABCC officers conspired to set up CFMEU official
Conspiracy by Government body must be investigated, says National Secretary
CFMEU Construction National Secretary, Dave Noonan, today called on the Federal Government to launch an investigation into the operation of the Australian Building and Construction Commission in light of the spectacular collapse of multiple charges brought by the ABCC against two CFMEU officials in the Victorian Magistrates Court today.
ABCC investigators admitted to having lost or destroyed evidence including audio recordings, and changed their own statements to the court.
‘Sloppy’ investigations – another reason the ABCC should go
The ABCC’s incompetence in conducting its investigations and presenting evidence to the courts is another reason the Howard-era construction watchdog has to go, the CFMEU said today.
“Federal Court criticism of the ABCC for its ‘sloppy investigative practice’ in a case dismissed this week adds to a long list of court denouncements of the watchdog’s handling of its responsibilities in the industry,” said CFMEU Construction National Secretary Dave Noonan.
Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Transition to Fair Work) Bill 2011
Combined Construction Unions Opening Statement to Senate Inquiry.
A submission has been made to this Committee on behalf of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union, the Australian Workers Union, the Communication, Electrical and Plumbing union and the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union.
The main elements of the construction unions' submission are as follows:
