Victoria’s Indigenous truth-telling commission will investigate allegations that Indigenous workers have not been given a fair go on government construction worksites, following allegations the CFMEU has been infiltrated by organised crime.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission said it was concerned by reports of government failures to ensure fairness in the awarding and administration of large contracts in the construction sector.
It comes after Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan acknowledged it took too long to reply to an Indigenous labour-hire firm’s 2022 letter detailing allegations of CFMEU officials threatening violence and banning non-aligned firms from state and federally funded projects.
Yoorrook has the same legal powers as a royal commission, meaning it can call witnesses, compel the production of documents and make findings and recommendations.
Indigenous suppliers, organisations and individuals have contacted the commission in recent days wanting to share allegations of misconduct and exploitation within the sector.
Confidential submissions encouraged
The commission is investigating systemic injustices against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including within the Victorian economy, as part of the state’s treaty process and previously received submissions on the construction sector.
It is seeking submissions, which can be confidential if required, on any government failings to provide fair opportunities for First Peoples businesses to participate in large procurement processes, and on any reforms that might be necessary to ensure integrity in those processes and encourage increased First Nations participation.
“Increased participation in the Victorian economy is essential for Victorian First Peoples, if true self-determination is to be achieved,” Yoorrook commissioner and deputy chair Travis Lovett said.
“We encourage affected First Nations businesses and individuals to continue to come forward, including on a confidential basis, to contribute to our ongoing inquiries, and inform necessary change in the sector.”
Premier welcomes PM’s move
Ms Allan said Victoria Police and the corruption watchdog were investigating after a referral from her office over claims that bikies and other organised crime figures had infiltrated the CFMEU.
“I believe those agencies have the tools and powers and resources to appropriately investigate these allegations,” she said on Wednesday.
“Yoorrook has been established as an independent agency, so I don’t want to cut across the work they are doing.”
Speaking just before the federal government announced on Wednesday that it would appoint an independent administrator to the embattled union, the premier said she would welcome such a move.
The union’s national executive had already placed its Victorian and South Australian branches into administration and launched its own investigation.
In other moves spurred on by Ms Allan, federal Labor has begun taking steps to suspend the CFMEU’s construction arm from the Victorian Labor Party — though it has stopped short of deregistering the union.
The state party is also no longer accepting donations from the union’s construction division, Ms Allan previously confirmed on Tuesday.
AAP/NIRS
