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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
Lucy Bladen

CFMEU ACT says it's not expected to be put into administration

The CFMEU ACT branch does not expect it will be placed into administration as the embattled union faces allegations of criminality in other state branches.

The ACT branch has defended its record, saying it has consistently fought against criminal influences in the local construction industry.

CFMEU ACT acting secretary Michael Hiscox said there were no allegations against the local branch.

"Here in the ACT, our branch is not expected to be put into administration. There will be no changes to us fighting hard every single day for your wages and conditions," Mr Hiscox said in a statement on Friday afternoon.

"There are no allegations against the ACT branch. And there is zero room for criminality in any part of the CFMEU."

An independent administrator was appointed this week to manage the embattled union following allegations of criminal activity levelled at members of the union's Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and NSW branches.

ACT Labor will not accept donations from any branch following the appointment of the administrator. Chief Minister Andrew Barr said the party was waiting for more information on the remit of the administrator on Thursday.

The Canberra Times on Tuesday revealed the ACT branch of the union had put forward a motion to be debated at ACT Labor's annual conference later this month, seeking greater union involvement in the territory's procurement process.

CFMEU national and ACT branch secretary Zach Smith with Michael Hiscox who is currently the acting ACT branch secretary. Picture by Elesa Kurtz

This move was swiftly condemned by Master Builders ACT who said it was an "outrageous request". The organisation also alleged bullying and intimidation from union members was experienced in the ACT.

Opposition Leader Elizabeth Lee has also hit out at the CFMEU and Mr Barr following the allegations facing the CFMEU. She said Labor should suspend its affiliation with the CFMEU and the union should not be able to attend the Labor conference.

The CFMEU ACT hit out at Master Builders and its "political enablers" in its statement

"Make no mistake, Master Builders and their political enablers have one motivation: cutting the wages and conditions of our members. We will not let them," Mr Hiscox said.

"We welcome any criminal investigation into our industry, but any investigation must look at the industry in its entirety.

"We know what our record is in Canberra. We have consistently fought against any criminal influences in the construction industry, particularly in the scaffold sector."

Ms Lee wrote to federal Workplace Relations Minister Tony Burke following the CFMEU ACT's statement on Friday afternoon saying she was alarmed the ACT bracnh would not be included in the action by the federal government.

She said to the minister there had been concerns for several years about union interference in ACT government procurement.

Ms Lee highlighted the ACT Integrity Commission's investigation of the Campbell Primary School tender process which has heard allegations of union interference.

"I urge you to take decisive action and include the ACT branch of the CFMEU in the action that is being taken against other state branches," she said.

ACT Greens Leader Shane Rattenbury has also ruled out taking donations from the CFMEU "in light of the recent allegations that have been aired".

Mr Rattenbury told The Canberra Times the ACT Greens had not taken any donations from the CFMEU since 2013, when it received $50,000 from the union in the lea-up to that year's federal election.

The ACT Greens scrutinises donations of $1000 and above per financial year.

with Dana Daniel

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