Posted on: 14 June 2024
John Setka and his militant CFMEU are threatening to hold South Australians to ransom – taking advantage of Peter Malinauskas’ failure to stop the union’s infiltration into SA.
John Setka’s threat has put the construction of the Adelaide Crows’ new headquarters at Thebarton in the firing line.
The threats relate to the AFL’s current head of umpiring Stephen McBurney – who
John Setka demands be sacked – because of his previous role as Commissioner of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), abolished by the Federal Labor Government early last year.
The Opposition is calling on Peter Malinauskas and Labor to support Liberal Party legislation for a South Australian Construction Industry Commissioner. This new local industry watchdog would boost South Australia’s defence against the CFMEU’s tactics of intimidation, threatening behaviour, and forcefully disrupting worksites.
Labor has repeatedly voted against progressing the Bill for more than a year.
Shadow Treasurer, Matt Cowdrey, said Peter Malinauskas must stand up to John Setka and the CFMEU to protect local builders, small businesses and important South Australian infrastructure projects.
“Peter Malinauskas rolled out the red carpet for John Setka and the CFMEU and now they’re threatening to derail a major SA project, which could trigger delays and blow the project out by millions of dollars, over a personal grievance,” Mr Cowdrey said.
“The CFMEU has too much power in South Australia and Peter Malinauskas handed it to John Setka on a platter.
“This type of threatening behaviour is why Peter Malinauskas must block the CFMEU from entering South Australia’s civil construction industry and gaining access to projects like the $15.4 billion North-South Corridor project, which has already blown out under Labor.
“We’re calling on the Labor Government to support our legislation – ignored for more than a year – that would see the formation of a South Australian Construction Industry Commissioner.”