Overview

• The regulator filed Federal Court proceedings on Wednesday against the CFMEU and Victorian organisers Joel Shackleton and Gerry McCrudden for alleged coercion, false or misleading representations about workplace rights, and improper conduct as entry-permit holders.
• Prosecutors allege the conduct was aimed at discouraging and preventing Indigenous labour-hire firm Marda Dandhi from working on Victorian government Big Build projects and from bargaining over an enterprise agreement with the union.
• The alleged incidents occurred between July 2021 and March 2022 at the Ferguson Street level crossing removal in Williamstown and the Monash Freeway Upgrade at O’Shea Road in Berwick.
• Fair Work is seeking civil penalties of up to $66,600 per breach for the union and up to $13,320 per breach for each official.
• Shackleton was arrested in September 2024 and charged over separate alleged threats to the firm’s owners, and he is contesting those criminal charges.