Updated
The boss of the ACT branch of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU), and the union itself have been charged with criminal cartel conduct.
The charges come after an investigation by the Australian Federal Police and consumer watchdog the ACCC.
It is alleged the CFMMEU — formerly the CFMEU — and ACT branch secretary Jason O’Mara tried to induce steel-fixing and scaffolding service providers into cartel arrangements or contracts.
“These charges follow a joint investigation between the ACCC and the Australian Federal Police,” ACCC chairman Rod Sims said.
Mr Sims said the investigation had been “extensive”, but that he could not outline specifics of the allegations as the matter had progressed to the courts.
“This is an extremely important matter and we must treat it with the utmost sensitivity,” he said.
The charges stem from the Royal Commission into Trade Unions.
The matter is listed to appear in the ACT Magistrates Court in late September.
Topics: government-and-politics, unions, law-crime-and-justice, corruption, building-and-construction, industry, business-economics-and-finance, australia, act, canberra-2600
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