Latest news with #ex-CFMEU
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Alleged hitman was handpicked as CFMEU health and safety man on Big Build
A CFMEU delegate accused of involvement in a brazen underworld execution was parachuted into his lucrative union health and safety role four months after he allegedly gunned down a gangland figure in a suburban car park. Muhammed Sayan was working as a union health and safety representative until a fortnight ago, when armed police arrested him over his alleged role in the shooting of gangland boss Robert Issa in October 2023. Multiple sources, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the information, confirmed that Sayan was not elected by his fellow workers, as required by law, but parachuted into his CFMEU position after a request to the union. That February 2024 request came from a company part-owned by members of a Middle Eastern crime gang suspected by police to be linked to Issa's death only months earlier. Sayan was arrested a fortnight ago and accused of being part of a five-man hit squad that killed Issa in a Craigieburn shopping centre car park. The details of how Sayan got his union role to maintain site health and safety — and kept it after the union was plunged into administration — come amid separate revelations about how union bosses and ex-bikies culled from the CFMEU have re-emerged as industry fixers or subcontractors to the Allan government's Big Build projects. They include allegedly corrupt ex-CFMEU assistant secretary Derek Christopher, who has hung up his shingle as an industry 'mediator' through his newly founded firm, Atlas Consulting; ex-union delegate and former Mongols outlaw bikie boss Tyrone Bell, who is now also an industrial relations fixer via a company called Dynamis Health and Safety Relations; and Rebels bikie figure and sacked Big Build CFMEU health and safety representative Joel Leavitt, who is launching a labour-hire company. Gangland figure Mick Gatto is also still attempting to engage in deal-making with senior union officials.
The Age
4 days ago
- The Age
Alleged hitman was handpicked as CFMEU health and safety man on Big Build
A CFMEU delegate accused of involvement in a brazen underworld execution was parachuted into his lucrative union health and safety role four months after he allegedly gunned down a gangland figure in a suburban car park. Muhammed Sayan was working as a union health and safety representative until a fortnight ago, when armed police arrested him over his alleged role in the shooting of gangland boss Robert Issa in October 2023. Multiple sources, speaking anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the information, confirmed that Sayan was not elected by his fellow workers, as required by law, but parachuted into his CFMEU position after a request to the union. That February 2024 request came from a company part-owned by members of a Middle Eastern crime gang suspected by police to be linked to Issa's death only months earlier. Sayan was arrested a fortnight ago and accused of being part of a five-man hit squad that killed Issa in a Craigieburn shopping centre car park. The details of how Sayan got his union role to maintain site health and safety — and kept it after the union was plunged into administration — come amid separate revelations about how union bosses and ex-bikies culled from the CFMEU have re-emerged as industry fixers or subcontractors to the Allan government's Big Build projects. They include allegedly corrupt ex-CFMEU assistant secretary Derek Christopher, who has hung up his shingle as an industry 'mediator' through his newly founded firm, Atlas Consulting; ex-union delegate and former Mongols outlaw bikie boss Tyrone Bell, who is now also an industrial relations fixer via a company called Dynamis Health and Safety Relations; and Rebels bikie figure and sacked Big Build CFMEU health and safety representative Joel Leavitt, who is launching a labour-hire company. Gangland figure Mick Gatto is also still attempting to engage in deal-making with senior union officials.
Sky News AU
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News AU
Bombshell report into CFMEU Queensland branch uncovers shock allegations of violence, exposes union's grip on former Labor government
Serious allegations of bullying, violence and intimidation have been levelled against the scandal-plagued Queensland branch of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) as part of an investigation carried out by a top anti-corruption lawyer. Barrister Geoffrey Watson SC was commissioned by Administrator Mark Irving KC to investigate claims the CFMEU's state branch had been infiltrated by criminal networks, after it was placed into administration last year. The review cited claims by a public servant that the CFMEU in Queensland believed it had the power to draft new laws after Labor returned to power in the state in 2015. Mr Watson's three-month investigation was summarised in a 45-page report obtained by The Courier Mail. He conducted 55 interviews with officials and members of the CFMEU, politicians, bystanders and victims of abuse, trade unionists and others. 'When Labor recovered government in Queensland in February 2015 the CFMEU seems to have regarded itself as having taken over administering industrial relations,' he wrote in the report. Mr Watson said he was told in confidence by Labor ministers that the CFMEU was the most aggressive trade union. 'Australian politics, especially at a state level, is notoriously robust; strong criticism is common,' Mr Watson said. 'Even by those standards the CFMEU went too far.' He suggested ex-CFMEU state secretary Michael Ravbar was to blame for the union becoming more violent. 'That does not entitle him or anyone to engage in persistent, threatening abuse,' he wrote. 'If the CFMEU was sliding into violence, the slide was starting from the top.' The report quoted claims from a public servant that a CFMEU official hectored them with phrases such as "you're now working for us" when they visited the union's offices at Bowen Hills in 2015. 'The theme was consistent – I am your boss now, " a union representative told the consultative team at the meeting according to the report. Mr Watson said he feared the investigation had "only scratched the surface". He said the union breached its anti-violence policy to achieve the outcomes that fit its agenda. "The CFMEU in Queensland actually intended to inflict physical, sexual, emotional, and economic abuse on others," the report said. "The CFMEU used threats and coercion deliberately to cause fear. "This included, if necessary, destroying individuals and businesses. The CFMEU is ruthless — it will crush anyone offering any resistance to it." Allegations of abuse were also noted, including on one occasion where three men are said to have approached a Workplace Health and Safety inspector at a funeral and called him a "c***" and a "f***ing dog". In another instance, the 21-year-old daughter of an inspector was allegedly told her father was a "f***ing c***" by a man who approached her while she was at a gym. The report highlighted disturbing examples of abuse towards women, with Mr Watson describing it as what "might just be the single worst aspect of the violence perpetrated by the CFMEU".
Daily Mail
28-04-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Former head of Australia's most controversial trade union is accused of trying to get the AFL to SACK one of the league's top officials
The Fair Work Ombudsman has taken legal action against ex-CFMEU boss John Setka for allegedly trying to force the AFL to sack Head of Officiating Stephen McBurney. Setka, the former Victorian secretary of the CFMEU and one of the most divisive figures in Australian union history who stepped down from his union leadership role in 2023, is accused of threatening to block or delay construction projects connected to the AFL unless McBurney was removed. The threats were reportedly made through media statements and a post authorised on the CFMEU Vic-Tas Facebook page, warning, 'Good luck to the AFL with any plans to build any projects, as our members will not be building or supporting any projects that the AFL are involved in.' At the centre of the case is Stephen McBurney, a former AFL umpire who officiated 401 games, including four grand finals. After retiring, McBurney served as Australian Building and Construction Commissioner (ABCC) from 2018 to 2023, where he led over 50 legal actions against the CFMEU. That history is now cited as the reason Setka allegedly targeted him following his return to the AFL in March 2024 as Head of Officiating. John Setka is the former Victorian secretary of the CFMEU who stood down from his leadership role in 2023 The Fair Work Ombudsman has alleged that Setka tried to influence the AFL to remove Head of Officiating Stephen McBurney from his post In his previous position as Australian Building and Construction Commissioner, McBurney launched over 50 legal actions against the CFMEU Fair Work Ombudsman Anna Booth described the situation as a serious breach of workplace rights and industrial law. 'We are alleging that Mr Setka, and through him the CFMEU, have engaged in deliberate unlawful conduct against a former senior public official,' she said. The FWO's case hinges on public remarks made between 31 May and 14 June 2024, including a statement in The Australian in which Setka reportedly said, 'They will regret the day they ever employed him.' In a separate radio interview with 6PR, he allegedly stated, 'As far as we're concerned, we will pursue the ex-ABCC till the ends of the earth.' The FWO alleges these comments and actions were attempts to coerce the AFL into firing McBurney, in violation of sections 340 and 355 of the Fair Work Act. These sections make it unlawful to take adverse action or to coerce an employer to act against a person because they exercised a workplace right. Booth said the case sends a strong message across all sectors. McBurney is a former AFL umpire who officiated over 400 matches including four grand finals Setka and McBurney clashed for many years before Setka allegedly tried to have him removed by the AFL 'Mr McBurney had a lawful workplace right to perform his role as ABCC Commissioner without fear of future targeting,' she said. 'Threatening or coercive behaviour has no place in Australia's industrial relations system.' Setka's legal troubles are far from new. Over the years, he's developed a reputation as a fierce, combative union leader, earning praise from some for defending worker rights and scorn from others for his aggressive tactics. In 2019, Setka was accused of making controversial comments about domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty, sparking widespread outrage. Though he denied the remarks, the incident led then-Labor leader Anthony Albanese to move to expel him from the party. Despite the controversy, Setka remained defiant and held onto his role until stepping down in 2023. McBurney, in contrast, has built a reputation for integrity and leadership in both sport and governance. His tenure at the ABCC drew praise from industry groups and criticism from unions. His return to the AFL was supported by the league and the AFL Umpires Association, with a focus on improving officiating and building talent across all levels of the game. The AFL has stood by McBurney throughout the controversy, resisting any pressure to terminate his role. League officials have not commented publicly on the legal action, but sources suggest there is strong backing for his continued leadership. The penalties sought by the FWO include up to $18,780 per contravention for Setka and up to $93,900 per contravention for the CFMEU. A directions hearing has been scheduled for May 9 in Melbourne's Federal Court.
