Statement from the CFMEU in relation to report from Royal Commission

The CFMEU notes that the report of the Royal Commission released today contains a number of findings relating to CFMEU officials with recommendations that matters be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions and other agencies.

The Royal Commission is not a court of law and does not exercise judicial power.

Its interim report makes no specific recommendations for legislative change and does not make any findings of corruption against any CFMEU official.

The Royal Commission does not conclude that any CFMEU official ‘has engaged in conduct that was a breach of the law.’ Instead the Commissioner recommends that his findings be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions and other agencies in order for them to ‘consider’ whether such breaches have occurred and if any action should be taken.

In respect of the matters that are referred to the DPP and other authorities, the CFMEU will deal with those issues as they arise

It is worth noting that the Royal Commission is not independent of the government. It has been initiated and established under terms of reference written by the Abbott Government. Like previous Royal Commissions, the Heydon Commission is politically motivated to produce outcomes to justify the introduction of anti union laws.

This is clear from the prejudiced and biased findings of the Royal Commission that reflect the ideological bent of the Abbott Government and their hatred of unions.

This Royal Commission is a colossal waste of taxpayers’ money that will not produce one extra job or train one apprentice. It has been a blatant politicised process the ultimate aim of which, is to take away workers’ rights.

The CFMEU will continue to do what it does every day: protect and defend workers’ safety, working conditions and their legal rights in our industries.