Violence ‘An Accepted Part of the Culture’ at CFMEU, Report Finds

An interim report into allegations the construction and general division of the Victorian CFMEU was involved in criminal and corrupt conduct has drawn some damning conclusions. This was despite its author, Geoffrey Watson SC, complaining his investigation was hampered by an inability to compel some witnesses and offer the protection of anonymity to others. In July, CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith asked Watson to conduct an independent investigation into the allegations. The report concludes the state branch of the Union has perpetuated a cycle of “lawlessness.” “Based on the information uncovered during my investigation, the Victorian Branch has been caught up in a cycle of lawlessness, where violence was an accepted part of the culture, and threats of violence were a substitute for reasoned negotiations,” Watson said....