Victoria’s construction industry will be targeted by a new Joint Police Taskforce, announced by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Premier Denis Napthine last week.

Source: Herald Sun front page, 31 October 2014

The Herald Sun reports the taskforce will focus on union officials, debt collectors, mediators and employers engaged in blackmail, cartel behaviour, boycotts, extortion, kickbacks and intimidation while the Prime Minister described building sites as “places of violence and lawlessness”.

The taskforce is being set up in response to requests from the head of the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption. It is expected that up to 30 police officers will hunt for evidence of corruption and criminality exposed throughout the Royal Commission’s inquiry.

“The Royal Commission has received significant evidence of criminal conduct which includes widespread instances of physical and verbal violence, cartel conduct, secondary boycotts, contempt of court and other institutional orders,” said Mr Abbott.

“There is no place for standover tactics, violence or intimidation in Australian workplaces.

“To generate jobs and grow businesses, workplace must be safe, productive and law-abiding.”

Reports indicate the taskforce will investigate violations of state-based laws, like assault, along with action covered by federal laws, including building site boycotts.

“The evidence of corrupt behaviour, unlawful kickbacks and standover tactics in the construction industry has made it clear that there is a need for a Joint Police Taskforce to fully investigate this criminal activity,” Premier Denis Napthine said.

The Premier also stated that his government’s submission to the Royal Commission asked whether recommendations should be made in relation to deregistering the CFMEU.

“We’ve made a submission to the Royal Commission suggesting the Royal Commission examine this matter, particularly in light of the behaviour of the CFMEU on the Myer Emporium issue and a number of other issues across the building and construction sites in Victoria,” said Dr Napthine.

Master Builders says action is required to address disturbing and constant media stories that threaten to undermine the construction sector.

“Unfortunately, this is far from the first time we’ve seen our industry’s name in the headlines for the wrong reasons,” said Chief Executive Officer, Radley de Silva.

“The reputation of our trade is tainted by those who believe they are above the law.

“In recent years, we have seen a conga line of salacious stories like unlawful union blockades, underworld crime links, bikie standover tactics, confrontations with police and countless allegations of thuggery, intimidation or coercion.

“The Herald Sun has now labelled Melbourne as the ‘epicentre of union corruption within the building and construction industry’.

“Enough is enough. Now is the time to weed out these practices and restore the public’s faith in our line of work.”

Cleaning up debt collection

Moves to set up the taskforce follow recent actions by the State Government to clean up the debt collection industry.

The new plan will see debt collectors, both businesses and individuals, to be registered with Victoria Policy and listed on a database that is open to the public.

It will not only prevent people collecting debts without a fit and proper person test but will also make it an offence for anyone to use an unregistered debt collector to recover money on their behalf.

“Evidence given recently by Victoria Police to the Royal Commission… has highlighted the fact that members of outlaw motorcycle gangs have become heavily involved in debt collecting in the building industry, using standover tactics to intimidate alleged debtors and bypassing lawful debt recovery processes,” said Attorney-General, Robert Clark.

“These powers will enable Victoria Police to exclude criminals, thugs and dodgy operators from the Victorian debt collection industry. Those who breach these laws will face tougher penalties than ever before.”

In particular, the reforms aim to cut out outlaw motorcycle gangs, other crime gangs, people who have committed drugs offences, fraud or violent crimes and anyone who has used physical force, undue harassment or coercion while collecting debts.

Master Builders has previously called for action on this matter, particularly after bikie club members stormed the home of Master Builders’ current National President.