Marise Payne (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

There is further work to be done. The contemptible behaviour of the CFMEU in Queensland is most unfortunate and is not an isolated incident. This is the union that is also currently before the Heydon Royal Commission. It is facing allegations that it took weekly kickbacks from underworld figures while repeatedly exposing its own members to an employer that evaded payment of employer entitlements. The CFMEU has just had to agree to pay $3.5 million of its members' fees to construction company Grocon for illegally blocking other major projects—$3.5 million, which is one of the largest payouts that has ever had to be made by a union. Perhaps the CFMEU leadership thinks $3.5 million is the cost of doing business, but certainly their membership deserve much better. They are rightly raising concerns about why they should have to pay so much to fund the illegal activities of their union bosses. In fact, on Melbourne radio this morning John Setka was asked whether he would change his approach. He said, 'I don't think we went too far.' (Time expired)