Andrew Barr’s failure to suspend affiliation with the CFMEU should ring alarm bells for Canberrans

Canberra Liberals Leader Elizabeth Lee has called on Andrew Barr to front up and answer questions that still remain regarding the recent allegations about the CFMEU.

“Andrew Barr has gone missing this week; he has not fronted the public to answer questions on these serious issues; and he has failed to confirm if he will suspend affiliation with the CFMEU,” Ms Lee said.

“After his weak response to the serious revelations about the CFMEU, Andrew Barr has now been shamed into confirming he will no longer be taking donations from the union.

“This only came after the Federal Government’s decision to intervene yesterday to appoint an independent administrator. Whilst other state leaders around the country took immediate action, Andrew Barr sat on his hands and went into hiding.

“There are a number of questions that remain for Andrew Barr including whether unions including the CFMEU are still attending the ACT Labor conference; whether they will still be putting forward their motions seeking unprecedented power over ACT government procurements and senior public service appointments?

“Canberrans also have every right to know how Andrew Barr and his Labor cabinet ministers will vote on these motions.

“The lack of leadership from Andrew Barr this week regarding the outrageous revelations about the CFMEU and its push for even more power in the ACT should ring alarm bells for all Canberrans.

“Andrew Barr must come clean, front up, and explain to the community who is actually running his government – him or the unions.”