Canberra 23 May 2013. Reports today that members of the Comanchero Bikie Gang have deep links with the CFMEU in Victoria are of very deep concern.


The mounting evidence that the CFMEU has links to bikie gangs and underworld figures confirms the need for the Australian Building and Construction Commission.

The CFMEU has very strong industrial and political influence and a very cosy relationship with Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Workplace Relations Minister Bill Shorten so much so that CFMEU Secretary John Setka recently addressed the Victorian Labor Party Conference.


This is the same John Setka who underworld crime figure Mick Gatto recently described as being a “close mate”.


This should be of real concern to Bill Shorten as it’s happening in his own backyard in Victoria.


One day we have the Sergeant of Arms from the Comanchero’s marching through the streets of Melbourne protesting against Grocon and the next he’s filmed allegedly intimidating the Federal Vice President of the Master Builders Association demanding money.


Should these reports be substantiated, both Labor and the Greens should rule out receiving any further donations from the CFMEU on the basis of the links to organisations and individuals involved in criminal activities.


We know that the CFMEU is planning to bankroll the Greens in the Senate during the upcoming election campaign in an attempt to stop the Coalition from re-establishing the Australian Building and Construction Commission.


The ABCC, which was dismantled by Bill Shorten and Julia Gillard at the behest of the union bosses at the CFMEU, was the tough cop on the beat tackling the very thuggery and intimidation we are seeing in the construction industry.


Only a Coalition Government would stand up to illegality, thuggery and intimidation in the building and construction sector by ensuring a tough cop on the beat.