Union corruption in Australia

News.com.au reports:

The South Australian branch of one of Australia’s most powerful unions has been placed into administration.

It comes after the news the Victorian Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) was referred to the state’s corruption watchdog following allegations of bullying, intimidation and criminal links.

This is a large union with assets of A$310m and 400 staff.

Allegations include:

• underworld figures had infiltrated the state’s union within the construction industry.
• bikie gang members had infiltrated the state’s union within the construction industry.
• officials from CFMEU had threatened violence.
• officials from CFMEU illegally banned firms from major construction projects.

I remind people that NZ Labour tried to introduce laws like they have in Australia that would make unions far more powerful and able to negotiate industry wide agreements with a minuscule proportion of members.