Longstanding allegations of corruption facing the CFMEU's former NSW secretary and his son have stalled in court, on the same day thousands of workers walked off the job in solidarity with the union.
Darren Greenfield and son Michael, a former state branch assistant secretary, are accused of accepting bribes from a building company for preferential treatment from the union and access to contracts, spanning as far back as 2018.
Both are on bail on charges first brought in 2021 that have recently become the subject of intense interest following an investigation into alleged union corruption by Nine newspapers.
On Tuesday, a special hearing block scheduled for a week in late September for the cross-examination of two prosecution witnesses was vacated by a magistrate.
The Greenfields' lawyer, Jillian Caldwell, told Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court that due to recent developments her clients were not in a position to proceed with the hearing.
Shortly after his case was heard, Darren Greenfield addressed a large crowd of supporters gathered in the Sydney CBD, attacking the peak trade union body, the ACTU, and its leader.
"Sally McManus is a sellout," he said to a reception of boos from the crowd.
"We pay her to look after us and she sold us out for the Labor Party."
The CFMEU's construction arm was on Friday placed into administration after a move against union leadership by the Albanese government following allegations of corruption and links to organised crime.
Darren Greenfield's employment with the CFMEU was terminated on the same day, while Michael resigned as the union's NSW branch assistant secretary several weeks earlier amid "intense media scrutiny", Ms Caldwell said.
"There have been some significant developments that have been reported in the media," she said.
"Things are in a state of flux for my clients. In those circumstances my clients are not ready to proceed."
Darren Greenfield has been charged with four counts of receiving or soliciting a corrupt benefit, while Michael Greenfield is facing two counts of the same charge, as well as an additional count of wilfully or corruptly making a false declaration that is substituted in lieu of an oath or affidavit.
For the benefit of media present in the courtroom, Magistrate Greg Grogin said nothing should be read into the hearing dates being vacated.
"It's not an admission of anything," he said.
"It's a procedural matter."
The case is due to return to court on October 29 and is expected to proceed to trial.
