The Business Council is renewing calls for a royal commission into the CFMEU following more serious allegations of criminal behaviour and corruption across the union, published by the Nine Network.
Business Council Chief Executive Bran Black said it was clear the appointment of a CFMEU Administrator was inadequate to deal with continuing serious criminal conduct, which now includes standover payments to underworld figures being employed on taxpayer-funded infrastructure sites and the shocking treatment of women.
"These allegations are incredibly serious and it's clear that only a royal commission will have the ability to stop the bleeding from any ongoing criminal behaviour," Mr Black said.
"An inquiry has the ability to compel any document or witness, which is essential in understanding the extent of the alleged influence of criminal organisations and corruption within the union.
"The Administrator's role is to get the CFMEU operating again, not to get to the bottom of every issue, and it's clear that if we're serious about doing this we need to have a full, open and transparent national inquiry - because this is likely to be a problem across every state."
Mr Black noted this type of behaviour if left unchecked risks extra costs to delivering infrastructure projects, including major road and rail works, as well as flow-on cost impacts across the entire construction sector.
"An inquiry must look at what impact these allegations are having on the cost of delivering infrastructure projects and whether it is contributing to cost-of-living problems in Australia."
The BCA supported the Commonwealth's decision to place the CFMEU into administration as a necessary first step but is also calling for the reestablishment of an industry workplace regulator similar to the Australian Building and Construction Commission.
"The Nine Network published examples of union delegates accessing sites for alleged criminal behaviour, including physically hurting a woman," Mr Black said.
"It's clear that an industry regulator is needed to make sure construction worksites, particularly those linked to public projects, are operating lawfully."
