<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The CFMEU has failed to overturn the </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/anthony-albanese" rel="" target="" title="Albanese"><span>Albanese</span></a><span> government's move to force the union's construction division into administration in the High Court.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/government" rel="" target="" title="federal government"><span>federal government</span></a><span> intervened in August 2024, following claims of bikie and organised crime figures infiltrating the scandal-riddled union, in addition to other serious criminal activity.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Controversial leader John Setka claimed the allegations against the union were false, but said he would step down to stop the intense media coverage.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/british-couple-facing-deportation-over-ms-diagnosis-make-lastditch-appeal-to-minister/59e7746d-78af-481a-ad94-ee3a83922750" target="_blank"><strong><span>English anger as Australia set to deport woman with MS</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Former CFMEU officials challenged the government's legislation that removed the union's leadership and placed it under the control of administrator Mark Irving KC.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The plaintiffs, sacked CFMEU officials Michael Ravbar and William Lowth, argued the law was invalid on four grounds, including that it breached their implied freedom of political communication.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The full bench of the High Court found all four arguments were unfounded.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/cfmeu-court-updates-high-court-dismisses-union-challenge-to-government-takeover/2c43bc74-6180-4222-832e-5c4ca9c7d7e5" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/donald-trump-is-facing-heat-from-all-sides-but-his-fateful-iran-decision-is-one-only-he-can-make/0c49d1a6-c304-4f7f-987c-11c2e939d848" target="_blank"><strong><span>The one reason Trump's most diehard supporters are quickly turning on him</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Victoria Police last September said Setka wouldn't face criminal charges over visits to government work sites, after it looked into 20 allegations of "potential criminal activity".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Criminal infiltration and corruption of the construction industry was revealed in Irving's first report as remaining "an area in which much work still needs to be done".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Previous workplace relations minister Murray Watt credited Irving and his team for uncovering the "unacceptable conduct".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>He later referred further allegations, aired by </span><em><span>60 Minutes</span></em><span>, to police for investigation.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government labelled vision of a woman being bashed by a bikie-linked health and safety representative as "horrifying".</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith told staff in May he would step away from his role, but would continue to lead the Victorian branch.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/victoria-crime-offedners-who-post-and-boast-on-social-media-to-face-greater-jail-time-under-proposed-law/e1a4a0a0-868c-486c-96e6-2d3eb9ea5904"><strong><span>Criminals who 'post and boast' on social media to face greater jail time in Victoria</span></strong></a><span></span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>A damning interim report by lawyer Geoffrey Watson SC said "lawlessness" in the union's construction arm was widespread.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Further investigations to identify instances when Victorian branch officials had engaged in or been subject to threatening, violent or abusive conduct were among the seven recommendations he made.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>All were accepted by the administrator.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The government's legislation allows the CFMEU to remain in administration for up to five years and officials that frustrate or obstruct the process face hefty penalties.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Industrial Relations Minister Amanda Rishworth said the government would not tolerate criminal behaviour, corruption or violence in the construction industry.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"We need to focus on shifting the culture in the construction industry and ensure the bad actors we have seen infiltrating this sector are kept out," she said in a statement.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Construction workers deserve a union free from criminality, corruption and violence.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"The administrator and his team can now move forward with confidence and continue their essential work in cleaning up the Construction and General Division of the CFMEU."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Master Builders Australia chief executive Denita Wawn said the ruling gave the construction industry and the administrator the certainty they needed to clean up the union.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/how-to-follow-9news-digital/29855bb1-ad3d-4c38-bc25-3cb52af1216f" target="_blank"><strong><em><span>DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP</span></em></strong></a><strong><em><span>: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. 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