Thursday 30 October 2025

“Amanda Rishworth is keeping the CFMEU’s Zach Smith on as a key adviser in her answer in Question Time today”, said Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations, Employment and Small Business, Tim Wilson MP.

Mr Wilson’s comments follow a question asked of Minister Rishworth in the House of Representatives today.

“Minister Rishworth was asked a direct question twice today - will Mr Smith be advising the Minister at the next meeting of the National Construction Industry Forum? Instead of an answer Minister Rishworth gave a spray in every direction and three minutes of waffle,” Mr Wilson said.

“Smith leads the Victorian branch of the CFMEU, the same union that has been infiltrated by bikies and underworld figures.

“He is implicated in ongoing meetings with John Setka and Mick Gatto, even while the union is under Administration.

“The Prime Minister relies on Zach Smith’s votes on the National Executive of the ALP, and Smith is a key Adviser to Minister Rishworth, John Setka and connector for Mick Gatto.

“Minister Rishworth danced around the topic and shouted rage, but in three minutes couldn’t deny keeping Mr Smith as a key adviser.

“Australians are left to wonder: is the Minister protecting Zach Smith, or is she protecting the Prime Minister - or what does Mr Smith have over the PM and the Minister that he can’t be sacked?”

Mr Wilson said the conflict of interest was becoming impossible to ignore.

“How can Australians have faith in the Government’s so-called clean-up of the CFMEU when one of the union’s most powerful leaders is still making decisions inside the Labor Party machine?

“Over a year into administration, according to whistleblowers, corruption is worse not better. And now, the Minister won’t say whether Zach Smith has a future inside the CFMEU or inside Labor’s National Executive. That is unacceptable.

“If the Minister won’t provide those answers, a Senate inquiry will.”

ENDS