“Everything is on the table,” Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke said, after the shock resignation of construction union boss John Setka amid allegations of misconduct.
The Victorian minister resigned from the Construction, Forestry and Marine Employees Union (CFMEU) after 12 years in the top job on Friday, effective immediately.
This follows allegations in the Nine newspaper that bikers and members of organised crime gangs were allowed to act as union delegates, with accidents occurring on government-funded projects.
Speaking to ABC’s Insiders programme, Burke said the alleged actions were “totally unacceptable” and that if necessary he would deregister the CFMEU or appoint officers to certain branches.
“In the advice I asked the ministry for, I want to make it clear: everything is on the table,” he said.
Mr Burke said he had asked for information about the powers he had as minister. The allegations will be investigated by a number of agencies, including the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Australian Federal Police and state police organisations.
“When I think of union representatives, I think of someone who serves you in a Woolworths or Coles store, or a cleaner in a large shopping centre, or a highly trained colleague… To see any criminal element, it is not just a problem, it is completely unacceptable,” he added.
Mr Burke said he had “definitively notified the union”, but added that he had no interest in halting infrastructure projects where the alleged acts occurred.
“I don’t think anyone has an interest in this,” he said.
“I want to make sure that we can create a situation where workers are paid well, businesses are profitable, taxpayers get their money’s worth and the infrastructure we need is built.”
On Saturday, Premier Anthony Albanese condemned Mr Setka, saying simply that it was “good” that the union leader had resigned.
“I kicked him out of the Labour Party in the first few weeks of taking over as Labour leader. That was appropriate,” he said.
“Labor unions exist to care for workers, to care about their wages, their working conditions, their health and safety. They do not exist to engage in the kind of behavior that John Setka clearly engaged in.
“He must be condemned, removed and eliminated.”
In his statement, Mr. Setka said the “continued false allegations” had done nothing but “damage the work this great union does for its members.”
“If my resignation can stop these malicious attacks on our members and officials and allow this great union to continue fighting for our members, for their wages and conditions, so they can return home to their families safely every day, then I am happy.”
