Michael Keenan (Stirling, Liberal Party, Minister for Justice) Share this | Hansard source

I thank the member for McMillan for that question. On 30 October, the Prime Minister joined with Premier Napthine in announcing a joint police task force into illegal activity within Victoria's unions. The joint AFP-Victoria Police task force will consist of investigative officers, surveillance units and intelligence units. It will investigate some of the very concerning allegations that have been raised about the CFMEU. If we look at the evidence provided by counsel assisting the royal commission into union corruption, allegations against the CFMEU include: blackmail and extortion perpetrated by officers of the CFMEU in Victoria and Queensland; the making of a death threat by one CFMEU organiser to another, and the failure of anyone within that union to commence a proper investigation into that incident; defiance of court orders; and intimidation of individuals and businesses.

We also know that the CFMEU likes to rub shoulders with criminals—members of the Comancheros bikie gang and underworld heavy George Alex. The Victorian state secretary of the CFMEU, John Setka, has been convicted or fined in relation to 40 separate charges. Offences include wilful trespass, assault and assault on police. Setka has been described by underworld figure Mick Gatto as a close mate. Setka has another mate in Victorian opposition leader Daniel Andrews—because, despite all of the evidence, the Victorian Labor Party is determined to maintain a close relationship with this union by continuing to receive substantial political donations and even allowing John Setka, a close mate of Mick Gatto's, to address a conference of the Victorian Labor Party.

Voters in Victoria need to be aware that a vote for Labor on Saturday is literally a vote for the CFMEU to have a seat at the cabinet table.

Mr Danby interjecting—

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