Andrew Barr's weak response to CFMEU allegations does not go far enough

Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee has slammed Andrew Barr’s weak response to serious allegations surrounding the CFMEU and has called for stronger action from the Chief Minister.

Ms Lee called on Andrew Barr to provide a commitment to Canberrans that the ACT Labor Party will not continue to accept any donations from the CFMEU and will also suspend affiliation with the union whilst investigations are ongoing around the country.

“We have seen a number of state leaders in other jurisdictions take action on this issue including suspending affiliations with the CFMEU but all Andrew Barr has done is dodge and deflect.

“This includes South Australia where the Premier has written to the state Labor Executive asking it to suspend affiliation despite there being no evidence of criminality related specifically to the South Australia branch of the CFMEU.

“It is not good enough for Andrew Barr to point the finger at other state branches of the CFMEU and say we don’t accept donations from those branches so it will be business as usual.

“The CFMEU is a member of the ACT Labor Party, provides donations, and has significant input into party leadership positions and Canberrans should be rightly concerned about the recent revelations of criminals and bikie gangs infiltrating the CFMEU.

“We know the integrity Commission investigation into the Campbell Primary School modernisation project has heard evidence that a local company missed out on a job despite being the preferred tenderer because it was allegedly not favoured by the CFMEU. 

“These are very serious allegations and it is right and proper that Andrew Barr show some leadership and suspend affiliation with the CFMEU and reject donations from the organisation whilst investigations are happening around the country,” Ms Lee concluded.