Linda Reynolds (WA, Liberal Party) Share this | Hansard source

Mr Acting Deputy President, if Senator Conroy does not think what I am about to read out are issues that every trade unionist and those opposite should not hang their heads in shame about at the impact on the trade unions—he might heckle but let him heckle after I have read out these absolutely blatant horrendous things that are happening against the people he pretends to represent.

It was impossible to rank them because they are all so heinous. However, the first one I identified was: CFMEU officials Brian Parker and Darren Greenfield consorted with underworld crime figure George Alex. Alex's friends and colleagues include Mick Gatto; former Comanchero Bilal Fatrouni; senior Rebels bikie Abuzar Sultani; standover man Vasko Boskovski; recently murdered career criminal Joe Antoun; and infamous ISIS jihadists Khaled Sharrouf and Mohamed Elomar, who did weight training, out of interest, in his backyard and joined Alex on a shooting trip shortly before escaping Australia to fight with ISIS.

Senator Conroy interjecting—

You might find that funny, but I think it is an absolute disgrace on behalf of all trade unionists in this country.

The second one: Comancheros being used as debt collectors for trade unions. The facts: assistant commissioner of Victoria Police Steve Fontana confirmed that the Victoria Police had evidence showing the overall infiltration of the building and construction industry by organised crime. He indicated that outlaw motorcycle gangs, including the Comancheros have been regularly engaged as debt collectors on behalf of the industry. Victoria Police are concerned that the methods for debt collection in the industry involve criminal conduct such as assault, threat to assault and intimidation. Presumably, it is trade union members' money that is going to these outlaw motorcycle gangs, including the Comancheros. That is No. 2.

What is No. 3? No. 3 is: construction company pays Bill Shorten's election campaign director—which he, oops, forgot to declare. Mr Shorten accepted a $40,000 donation from construction companies—