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Outgoing ACCIONA Executive Says CFMEU Monopoly Drives Corruption on Victoria Projects
The departing chief executive of ACCIONA Australia and New Zealand stated that the CFMEU’s control of government civil worksites is the main source of corruption in Victoria’s infrastructure program. He also said streamlined planning and approvals could reduce taxpayer costs.
May 29, 5:00 AM·1m read1 source
The Sydney Morning HeraldAudio version
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Bede Noonan told The Age that the union gained a monopoly after displacing the Australian Workers’ Union on civil construction projects. A corruption report released earlier this year found the CFMEU used violence and threats to blacklist contractors and take over work previously controlled by the AWU.
Noonan said time and approval delays, not on-site work, are the main drivers of cost blowouts. He stated a private skyscraper in Melbourne can be designed and approved in four months, while equivalent government infrastructure approvals take two years.
The company is part of a joint venture that holds a $3.6 billion contract to tunnel the first section of the Suburban Rail Loop East rail line. Tunnelling is scheduled to begin in September.
An Allan government spokesperson said criminal activity on worksites is unacceptable and that more than 88 criminal charges have been laid with 151 construction company licences cancelled. The CFMEU was approached for comment but did not respond by publication.
Local staff were informed on Thursday that Noonan and his brother, chief operating officer Andre Noonan, will retire by the end of the year. ACCIONA employs more than 5,000 people across Australia and New Zealand and is delivering $20 billion in projects.
