Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee, , 8:28:39 to 8:31:03
Details on referrals received by the Fair Work Ombudsman from the court-appointed administrator of the CFMEU across different states.
Topics: Workplace relations, Integrity
Speakers: Michael Campbell, Senator Maria Kovacic, Rachel Volzke, Senator Marielle Smith, Anna Booth, Senator Fatima Payman
I'll ask Nick two more questions and then we'll be done. I'll put the rest on notice, Chair. Thank you. Um some questions relating to the administration of the CFMEU. How many referrals has um the Fairwork Ombudsman received from the CFMEU administration since um May of this year?
We have received referrals.
We have received referrals, Senator.
And if you and you have a total number um perhaps Campbell is looking for that number?
Yeah, just bear with me, Senator. Um still on black coal.
That's right. And if you've got it there, if you if you want to table that document, if you have a breakdown of those referrals by state and by type of offence as well, that would be useful.
Senator Rachel Bolski, Chief Counsel, while Mr. Campbell's looking for those numbers, I can just confirm in relation to that report that you were previously discussing that it hasn't hasn't been made public at this stage.
Okay, thank you. Happy for you to just table that document, uh Mr. Campbell to say this all time.
Oh you don't want my scribbles, but um I'll find out I'll definitely take that on the even to let us know before the conclusion of your session. Do you mean the answer to your question about referrals from the C FMEs?
Yes, correct the number of referrals and the um detail the number by year, yeah.
Sure. Look, it's not a huge number, Senator. We've had three from the the administrator.
Okay.
Yeah. But what I would say about that is that takes away from the opportunity we've got to work with the administrator to identify opportunities for us to proactively investigate issues in the sector. And they've been the administrator's been willing to engage with us on issues that we have concern about in the sector as well.
Were they all in Victoria?
Definitely New South Wales. Okay. And maybe one in Victoria. But I can confirm that for you if you wish.
Yeah, if you could please, so likely two in New South Wales and one in Victoria.
Yeah, and there's also ones that we have on foot, so they might raise a concern about a particular company, for example, and we'll say, you know, noted, thank you for that referral, but it's all it's a matter that we're already investigating.
Are you able to share with me the type of offence for each of those three?
I think with the majority of those cases would go to underpayment or wages. Yeah.
Okay.
Thank you, Senator. So Senator Payman, and then I'll come back to you, Senator Roberts.
Thank you so much, Shay.