PM promotes Burke for creating CFMEU distaster

In one of the strangest cabinet reshuffle decisions of the 21st century, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has promoted the man who handed effective control of the construction sector in Australia to the CFMEU when he abolished the ABCC.

This has led to disastrous consequences on our nation’s building sites allowing criminality, bullying, corruption, intimidation and standover tactics to thrive.

Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash said that outgoing Employment Minister Tony Burke leaves behind an unparalleled disaster in the Australian construction sector.

“Tony Burke was the best friend the CFMEU ever had. He abolished the ABCC, the organisation which held the CFMEU accountable, saving them millions of dollars in fines and allowing them to control the nation’s construction sector,’’ Senator Cash said.

“Mr Burke was then apparently surprised when the appalling allegations against the CFMEU came to light and he was forced to belatedly apply to put some of their divisions into administration,” she said.

Senator Cash said a competent Prime Minister would have sacked Tony Burke, but Anthony Albanese has again showed his weakness by promoting him to look after our nation’s borders.

“Anthony Albanese has sent a very clear message - if you support his friends in the CFMEU, he will give you a nice promotion. By promoting Mr Burke, Mr Albanese has made it clear that he is happy for the CFMEU to continue to run the construction sector in Australia.” Senator Cash said.

Senator Cash called on incoming Employment Minister Murray Watt to restore the ABCC and to immediately legislate to deregister the CFMEU.

“Murray Watt has a golden opportunity to emulate Bob Hawke, who abolished the Builders Labourer’s Federation, and to immediately introduce legislation to deregister the CFMEU. Unfortunately, Mr Watt’s previous record has been to enthusiastically support outgoing Minister Burke’s agenda in the Senate, an agenda which gave control of Australia’s construction sector to the CFMEU.” Senator Cash said.