A Bahrs Scrub home has been swept into a two-state police investigation into allegations of corruption among Queensland union officials.
The Logan residence was among six properties searched across Queensland and Victoria on 9 September as detectives targeted alleged criminal conduct within the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union.
Police have not identified the occupant of the Bahrs Scrub property or said how the property was connected to the investigation.
Queensland Police detectives attached to the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry also executed warrants at a Pimpama residence and the union’s Queensland offices at Bowen Hills.
Electronic devices and paperwork were seized for forensic examination.
Taskforce Hawk Detective Inspector Ross Mitchell said the investigation formed part of a broader effort to remove criminal conduct from the industry.
“Our focus since the inception of Taskforce Hawk has always been about eradicating criminality – regardless of what form it takes – from the construction industry,” Det Insp Mitchell said.
“Those who are in the industry deserve to work in a fair and safe environment at all times.
“Taskforce detectives will also continue to work closely with other agencies, including our law enforcement partners interstate, to ensure all those involved in this type of offending are fully investigated.”
Victoria Police said investigators were examining allegations that people linked to a Victorian labour-hire company provided corrupting benefits to current Queensland-based CFMEU officials to influence how they performed their duties.
The investigation began in July.
The company under investigation has been identified as Top Up Labour Hire, whose director, Kim Mellech, was questioned before being released without charge pending further inquiries.
No Queensland arrest or corrupting-benefits charge has been announced.
The CFMEU said it did not have an agreement with Top Up.
“The company approached the CFMEU looking for an agreement and the union declined to make an agreement with the company,” a union spokesperson said.
“The CFMEU continues to cooperate with the police. No CFMEU staff member has been charged at this stage.
“The CFMEU will continue to monitor the situation and are conducting our own investigation.”
Counsel assisting the Queensland commission Patrick Wheelahan KC said information received by the inquiry could be referred to police.
“Today’s operation demonstrates that information provided to the commission can be investigated and, where appropriate, acted upon by police,” Mr Wheelahan said.
Public records show Top Up holds an active Queensland labour-hire licence that lists Logan among the areas where its supplied workers carry out work.
Victoria’s Labour Hire Authority issued Top Up a notice in May advising that it intended to cancel the company’s Victorian licence.
The proposed cancellation has not been finalised, its grounds have not been published and the company remains permitted to provide labour-hire services in Victoria unless the licence is cancelled.
Police intend to prepare a brief of evidence for assessment by the Commonwealth director of public prosecutions.
The corrupting-benefits offences under investigation carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in jail.
Queensland’s CFMEU commission is scheduled to resume public hearings in October.
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