Several workers in the construction sector say they will not speak to the CFMEU administrator about their experiences with the union because insufficient legal protections mean they fear retribution.
The CFMEU was forced into administration earlier this year.Building industry insiders say a lack of legal protections means the CFMEU administration process will only scratch the surface of what has been happening in the sector.
The Fair Work Commission appointed Mark Irving KC as CFMEU administrator to investigate the union's activities and ensure it operates in the interest of members.with an anonymous reporting mechanism establishedBut insiders have said that fear, coupled with the absence of whistleblower protections for contractors wanting to disclose their experiences with the CFMEU, has left them feeling they cannot risk sharing their experiences in detail.
CFMEU members disclosing allegations of wrongdoing by the construction union to the regulator are eligible for whistleblower protections. Contractors are also covered when blowing the whistle on wrongdoing within a company they are working with but those protections do not extend to allegations against a union. Experts say those protections are weaker than those afforded to companies.
The decision to force the CFMEU into administration triggered nationwide protests by some union workers.Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt said the government was open to making changes to legislation and regulations to encourage more people to share their experiences with the administrator.
"When it comes to the union, the information from union members, employers and contractors is absolutely vital," he said. He said he had begun losing hope in the administration process as he, like others, refrained from coming forward due to a lack of whistleblower protections.
Construction Administrator Whistleblower
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