Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's integrity lies in tatters today with revelations he was briefed in detail about criminal and gangland links to the CFMEU more than 10 years ago.
The Albanese Government has continually told the Australian people that it only learnt of the criminal infiltration and corrupt behaviour of the CFMEU when it was reported recently in the media.
This claim is completely undermined by the revelations in The Australian newspaper.
Mr Albanese needs to look the Australian people in the eye and tell them the truth.
He should admit he's known about the criminal links and other behaviour within the CFMEU for many years.
Mr Albanese should explain in detail what he did with the information provided to him in 2014. He should explain what follow up action, if any, he took.
He should admit who he passed the information onto and whether he continued to pursue the issue. It appears Mr Albanese buried his head in the sand.
The Prime Minister should explain why the Australian Labor Party continued to take millions of dollars of donations from the CFMEU while knowing about their criminal connections.
Mr Albanese should explain why in 2016 the Labor Party fought every step of the way against the introduction of the Australian Building and Construction Commission and the Registered Organisations Commission.
Mr Albanese is still fighting against legislation introduced in this Parliament by the Coalition to re-establish the ABCC and also ensure integrity in the construction industry by keeping criminals out of it.
Mr Albanese should immediately support this legislation.
