Former CFMEU officials file lawsuit against federal government after forced administration

Former CFMEU officials have filed a lawsuit against the federal government in the Supreme Court after it was placed into receivership.

Former national president Jade Ingham told reporters today that government interference in the union’s recent scandal is “undemocratic” and “unconstitutional”.

“We believe these laws are unconstitutional, undemocratic and certainly un-Australian,” Ingham said.

“This is an extraordinary attack, not only on the members of the CFMEU, but on all trade unions and indeed on our democracy.”

He also claimed that the forced resignations violated union members’ rights to due process.

It comes after an investigation by 60 minutes and the Sydney Morning Herald into alleged corruption, intimidation and links to criminal gangs within the CFMEU’s construction division.

This forced the federal government to intervene. The Labor government, with the support of the Coalition, passed legislation to place the CFMEU under administration.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said today he supports the decision.

“The legitimate role of the trade union movement is undermined where corruption prevails,” he said.

“You can’t have a corrupt union leader without having a corrupt employer. That’s why we’re cleaning up the sector and we’re not apologizing for that.”

The administrator will continue to run the union as the situation develops.