MEDIA RELEASE: NSW Builders are calling on the Minns Government to take action to stop the ‘Victorianisation’ of the state’s $88 billion construction sector and NSW construction workers’ entitlements being siphoned to a redundancy fund controlled by the notorious Victorian Branch of the CFMEU.
Matthew Pollock, Executive Director of Master Builders NSW said, "Thanks to a dodgy deal done by the previous criminally convicted leadership of the CFMEU NSW Branch, Master Builders estimates that more than $20 million a year in NSW worker’s entitlements is flowing across the southern border into a redundancy fund controlled by the Victorian CFMEU Branch and the infamous John Setka.
"This is a betrayal of NSW construction workers and NSW taxpayers who foot the bill for these payments which come out of a slew of NSW Government funded major construction projects such as the Westmead Hospital, Western Sydney Airport and the new Sydney Fish Markets.
"In 2023, the NSW Branch of the CFMEU did a deal with Incolink to include it as the nominated redundancy fund under the CFMEU’s NSW pattern enterprise agreement.
"It’s alleged that behind this deal was a promise to build the NSW Branch of the union a Setka-style training facility like the $28 million Incolink funded CFMEU ‘Wellness Centre’ in Melbourne which was subsequently valued at a third of that on completion.
"The NSW construction redundancy fund ACIRT has been a respected feature of the state’s construction industry for decades and in that time, it has returned millions in dividend payments to NSW workers.
"By contrast Incolink has never returned a cent to workers and instead has issued tens of millions in grants, including capital grants to its shareholders.
"The construction industry in NSW has up until now rejected this unethical business model for decades.
"Where Incolink goes so does the toxic influence of the infamously militant Victorian CFMEU. With billions being invested by the Minns Government in housing and infrastructure it would be a disaster for new taxpayers if Incolink is a Trojan horse for the 'Victorianisation' of the NSW construction sector.
"If this situation is not urgently addressed $20 million will become hundreds of millions as more NSW construction contractors are forced to sign-up to Incolink.
"Master Builders is calling on the Minns Government to use the powers at its disposal to ensure that NSW worker entitlements stay in NSW and the toxic culture of the Victorian CFMEU has no place in the NSW construction industry.
Media contact: Ben Carter | Head of Government Relations, Marketing & Corporate Affairs | 0447 775 507 | bcarter@mbansw.asn.au