Royal commission reveals CFMEU had unprecedented access to Victoria's Labor
A 2019 memo from John Holland showed the construction union had unprecedented access to Labor ministers and could sway major building projects.
A royal commission into CFMEU corruption started Monday. In 2019, builder John Holland warned the union had unusual access to ministers, which could sway government tenders.
Union officials stopped work for 36 hours on the Gap Road rail project in 2022. They sat on barriers despite lacking legal authority.
Police came but did nothing. After a meeting, work restarted.
Project costs rose about $6 million. The commission also examines whether construction companies broke rules.
- 36 hours
- Work stoppage duration
- $110 million
- Gap Road project cost
- About $6 million
- Cost increase after stoppage
- Sunbury, outer Melbourne
- Project location
Why it mattersA royal commission is testing whether union influence over major infrastructure projects drove costs up. Did construction companies help or fight corruption?
