The Fair Work Ombudsman sued the CFMEU and two officials over alleged threats to block an Indigenous firm from Victorian construction projects.

The Fair Work Ombudsman has sued the CFMEU and two of its officials, Joel Shackleton and Gerry McCrudden, over allegations of threatening and intimidating the owners of Marda Dandhi, an Indigenous-owned labour hire firm, to block its access to major Victorian construction projects. The case, stemming from alleged coercive conduct between July 2021 and March 2022, including verbal threats, intimidation, and false statements, is the first time the watchdog has pursued legal action against union officials for such behavior on state government sites. The FWO claims the actions violated workplace laws by targeting the company’s right to operate and negotiate agreements. Penalties could reach $66,600 per breach for the union and $13,320 per violation for individuals. The case follows previous legal actions against the CFMEU, including against former official John Setka, and underscores ongoing scrutiny of union conduct in major infrastructure projects.