Conclusion of investigation into the CFMMEU Queensland District Branch

The following statement was provided on 8 September 2021 in response to a query from a media outlet:

On 23 June 2021, the Registered Organisations Commission (ROC) concluded its investigation into the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union, Mining and Energy (CFMMEU) Division Queensland District Branch (District Branch), which had commenced on 14 March 2018.

The investigation arose from a qualified auditor’s report lodged with the District Branch’s financial statement from the year ended 30 June 2016 to the effect that:

We were unable to obtain sufficient appropriate evidence to verify that all of the credit card expenses ($721,116) that have been included as business expenses in the union’s annual financial statements have been incurred solely for business purposes.

The complex investigation was commenced under sections 331 and 332 of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 (RO Act) and considered issues relating to potential systemic failures to keep proper records as prescribed by the RO Act as well as potential failures to have effective and appropriate policies in place, and the potential misuse of District Branch funds.

The District Branch cooperated with the ROC throughout the investigation and voluntarily produced about 42 volumes of documents in 10 tranches, comprising more than 10,000 pages of material.

At the conclusion of the investigation, recommendations were made to the Registered Organisations Commissioner about the further regulatory activity that the Commissioner may consider appropriate with respect to the District Branch and one of its senior officials.

The Commissioner is continuing to consider the recommendations made by the investigation. The ROC will not comment further at this time.

Statement Ends