Friday, 24 October 2025

“Workplace Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth has her last chance to grab her parachute and unstrap herself from the CFMEU Administrator as it becomes clear the Administration is running interference and tolerating corruption, not exposing it”, said Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Tim Wilson.

“Minister Rishworth keeps insisting the Administrator is the strongest possible solution to CFMEU corruption but clearly Mick Gatto, Zach Smith, John Setka and John Perkovic don’t think so. Clearly those roughing up the private homes of journalists also don’t take the Administrator seriously.”

Mr Wilson’s comments follow the latest revelations of CFMEU officials that were appointed to stop corruption being sacked for allegations of bribes and intimidation of journalists. These allegations follow the Prime Minister’s golden boy, Victorian head of the CFMEU, Zach Smith, organising meetings with Mick Gatto and catch ups with John Setka.

“The Administrator was appointed to crack down on CFMEU corruption and cartel kickbacks, instead we have seen empty threats, slaps on the wrist and green lights of meeting with organised crime figures – if the situation were not so serious the CFMEU Administration would be the butt of a joke.

“What is becoming a joke is Minister Rishworth hiding behind the Administration and refusing to come out of her crisis bunker and answer basic questions we have put to her.

“Minister Rishworth won’t answer basic questions about the corruption she is tolerating, won’t give briefings, and won’t sack those responsible.

“Just because Zach Smith is a Member of the National Executive of the ALP does not remove her responsibility to act in the interests of Australians and stop the protection racket. Every dollar of CFMEU cartel kickbacks Rishworth tolerates is passed through higher construction costs to taxpayers, small businesses and first home buyers.

“If there’s a river in Egypt called Denial, then soon they’re going to rename the river in Adelaide the Rishworth over her refusal to admit that her strongest possible solution has any credibility in cracking down on CFMEU corruption,” Mr Wilson said.

ENDS