Key Takeaways:
- The Queensland Labor conference has passed a non-binding motion calling for the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) to be returned to "democratic control as soon as possible"
- The motion was met with a walkout from the Right faction of the party, who staged the protest in solidarity with the Australian Workers Union
- The CFMEU has been plagued by allegations of links to organised crime and a culture of violence and misogyny
- The Queensland branch of the CFMEU is currently under inquiry, with public hearings underway to investigate claims of misconduct and corruption
- The forced administration of the CFMEU has raised concerns about the precedent it sets for other unions and the potential for it to be "weaponised" against them
Introduction to the Controversy
The Queensland Labor conference has sparked a factional spat within the party, with delegates passing a non-binding motion calling for the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) to be returned to "democratic control as soon as possible". The motion, which was moved at the event in Brisbane on Sunday, was met with a walkout from the Right faction of the party, who staged the protest in solidarity with the Australian Workers Union. The walkout was marked by jeers and shouts of "shame" from the opposing Left faction, highlighting the deep divisions within the party on this issue.
The CFMEU’s Troubled Past
The CFMEU has been plagued by allegations of links to organised crime and a culture of violence and misogyny. A report released earlier this year alleged that the Queensland branch had a systemic culture of violence and misogyny, which it used to further its political and financial agenda. The union was forced into administration last year by the federal government, following allegations of links to organised crime in Victoria. The Queensland branch is currently under inquiry, with public hearings underway to investigate claims of misconduct and corruption. The inquiry will look at claims of misconduct connected to the Queensland branch of the CFMEU and the effect on the state’s construction industry, major projects, and productivity.
The Motion and the Walkout
The motion, which was moved by Electrical Trades Union Queensland Secretary Peter Ong, called for the CFMEU to be returned to democratic control as soon as possible. Ong labelled the walkout "juvenile" and argued that the forced administration of the CFMEU risked creating a "slippery slope". He told the conference that the introduction of the administration legislation removed the fundamentals of the judicial system, including the presumption of innocence, a fair trial, and natural justice. The precedent created by this forced administration, Ong argued, can be weaponised against all unions, and is something that all union leaders should be concerned about.
Implications for the Labor Party
The motion, although non-binding, gives a sense of the opinions of the party’s rank-and-file members. It came after a similarly fiery motion was debated and passed on Saturday, expressing support for young transgender people affected by the state government’s pause on public doctors prescribing puberty blockers for new adolescent patients. The amendment called for people diagnosed with gender dysphoria to be given counselling before accessing treatment, but that was ultimately voted down. The debate highlights the deep divisions within the party on a range of issues, from union governance to social policy.
The Future of the CFMEU
The future of the CFMEU remains uncertain, with the inquiry into the Queensland branch ongoing. The union’s administration has raised concerns about the precedent it sets for other unions and the potential for it to be "weaponised" against them. The Labor party’s stance on the issue will be closely watched, as it navigates the complex web of union politics and governance. The party’s ability to balance the competing interests of its various factions and stakeholders will be crucial in determining the outcome of the CFMEU’s administration and the broader implications for the labor movement. As the inquiry continues, it is likely that more information will come to light about the CFMEU’s activities and the implications of its administration for the broader labor movement.