Key facts
- Two men have been charged in connection with alleged corruption in the construction industry.
- Police seized drugs, firearms, and vehicles linked to the CFMEU.
- The CFMEU's Victorian headquarters was searched as part of the investigation.
- Operation Hawk, now Taskforce Hawk, was established in July 2024 to target criminal behavior in the construction sector.
- The CFMEU administration is cooperating with the police investigation.
Two men have been charged and police have seized drugs, guns, and cars linked to the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) as part of an investigation into alleged corruption within Victoria's building industry. Detectives from Taskforce Hawk arrested five men and searched six properties, including the union's Victorian headquarters, investigating allegations of secret commissions, fraud, and drug trafficking.
During the searches, police confiscated four CFMEU-registered vehicles, 10 mobile phones, a Schedule 4 poison, a .22 rifle with ammunition, laptops, documents, iPads, and several USB storage devices. While no arrests were made at the union's headquarters, and administrators confirmed no officials were charged, a 36-year-old man from Chirnside Park was charged with possessing a Schedule 4 drug and bailed to appear in court on November 10. A 46-year-old man from Westbury was charged with firearm and ammunition storage offenses and bailed to appear in court on January 11. The other three men arrested were released pending further inquiries.
Police stated that the investigation into alleged secret commissions, defined as undisclosed financial benefits, rewards, payments, or kickbacks, is ongoing. Operation Hawk, established in July 2024 and later transitioned to Taskforce Hawk, specifically targets criminal behavior associated with the construction industry, including organized crime and individuals with links to outlaw motorcycle gangs. Police are actively engaging with industry stakeholders and law enforcement partners to gather intelligence.
Det Acting Superintendent Jamie Walker emphasized the unacceptability of criminal conduct, corruption, intimidation, and violence within the construction industry, vowing to dismantle corrupt business activities. The CFMEU administration, through its administrator Michael Crosby, expressed cooperation with the police and highlighted the need for greater regulation and scrutiny in the sector, stating that individuals associated with criminal elements would not have a place in the union's future.
This scandal has been cited as a significant factor in the recent ousting of former Victorian premier Jacinta Allan. Her successor, Premier Ben Carroll, announced a royal commission into the matter last week.