Fury over bombshell union bikie claim

Labor has been forced to fend disconnected attacks Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had been approached by a CFMEU whistleblower claiming reports of allegations of links to outlaw bikie gangs and organised transgression links arsenic aboriginal arsenic 2014.

It follows reports successful The Australian that erstwhile CFMEU authoritative Andrew Quirk, who was sacked aft going nationalist with allegations the national had allegedly go entwined with organised transgression figures, had warned Mr Albanese successful a 2014 gathering astatine his Marrickville electoral office.

At the time, Mr Albanese was successful absorption and Labor’s spokesperson for infrastructure and transport.

Under questioning from Liberal legislator Michaelia Cash, the government’s Senate person Penny Wong defended Mr Albanese, adding that Mr Quirk’s allegations were made publically connected ABC’s 7.30 program.

Senator Wong besides questioned wherefore Senator Cash – who was past employment curate – didn’t enactment connected the allegations.

“Unfortunately, those other has spent truthful overmuch clip successful authorities playing a governmental docket and trying to onslaught the Labor Party and the labour question they really did not bash the occupation they should person done,” she said.

Senator Cash besides criticise Labor’s abolishing of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), which the Coalition is presently trying to revive, asking Senator Wong wherefore Mr Albanese gave the “CFMEU power of the operation sector,” erstwhile helium abolished the watchdog successful 2022.

Notably, the CFMEU astatine the clip welcomed the move.

Senator Wong said this was impervious the ABCC was not “the large bull connected the beat,” and “did thing successful narration to the allegations which were nationalist successful 2015”.

Following a bid of damning allegations accusing the almighty operation part of the CFMEU of bullying, standover tactics and transgression links, the union’s operation and wide divisions has been enactment successful forced medication successful August.

The determination has been criticised by allied national including the Electrical Trades Union which has pulled much than $1m donations to the ALP.

In September, erstwhile CFMEU officials besides announced it would beryllium challenging the government’s forced takeover successful the High Court, with erstwhile nationalist president Jade Ingham calling the medication “unconstitutional”.