Disturbing revelations have surfaced from Victoria’s Big Build construction initiative, highlighting serious safety breaches and systemic violence against women. Reports indicate multiple incidents where female workers were harmed by men with known violent histories, raising questions about the involvement of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) and the Victorian government.
Three specific cases have brought to light the troubling interactions between organized crime figures, the CFMEU, and vulnerable female workers on government-funded projects. One incident involved a health and safety representative linked to the Rebels bikie gang, who was caught on camera violently assaulting his girlfriend during his lunch break at the site of a rail level-crossing removal project.
Another appalling case featured Lilly Munro, who was locked inside a small room at the Footscray Hospital project by Nick Bouras, a man previously jailed for stalking and threatening to kill another woman. "[He was smoking] a crack pipe with ice in it and blowing it in my face and locking the door of the store room," Munro recounted. This incident exemplifies the endemic culture of violence against women within the industry, where female workers are often subjected to threats and harassment.
The incidents extend beyond individual cases. They reveal a broader pattern of the CFMEU allegedly facilitating the employment of violent men on sites, leading to consequences for women who report abuse. According to Geoffrey Watson, SC, the chief investigator for the CFMEU administration, the Big Build has effectively become a “place of resort” for criminals. Watson has criticized the lack of action and accountability, emphasizing the Victorian government's role and responsibility.
CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith has publicly admitted the union’s failure to address these issues adequately. “The men who have harassed or violently attacked women must be held responsible for their actions,” Smith stated, recognizing the collective failure within the union to protect its female members. Leading domestic violence campaigner Jess Hill also pointed to the government’s lack of accountability for the security and safety of women on these sites.
Further compounding these issues, evidence suggests women who report harassment or violence often face retaliation. Munro described how after she reported her harrowing encounter with Bouras, she was blackbanned from government sites, making it impossible for her to find work and provide for her family. “I can’t work on any site. I can’t provide for my family and I have to look over my shoulder all the time,” she stated, highlighting the chilling effect of retaliation on victims who step forward.
Another woman was violently attacked outside her workplace by a relative of two influential CFMEU figures. The incident raises serious concerns about the complicity of the union and its network within the industry, especially as the perpetrator had been shielded by his familial connections to the union.
The focus on systemic violence against women within the CFMEU is echoed by Lisa Zanatta, a senior CFMEU official responsible for women's rights. A leaked recording of her conversation revealed her awareness of multiple cases involving women forced out of their jobs due to violent male colleagues. She inadvertently tipped off the perpetrator’s family about complaints made against him, resulting in the victim being blackbanned as well. Observers express concern over the prevailing culture allowing such incidents to occur without significant repercussions.
To make matters worse, federal police investigations have recently revealed the involvement of organized crime figures, including payments made from construction firms to bikies for employment on state projects. This suggests collusion between union officials and gang leaders, effectively generating a protection racket within the construction sector.
The revelations of violence and corruption prompted action from authorities, with federal police raiding the offices of Mick Gatto’s accountant as part of investigations surrounding corruption allegations. This raises questions not only about the oversight of projects but also about the ethical responsibilities of the firms involved, which continue to employ individuals with serious criminal backgrounds.
With several construction projects underpinning the state's economic infrastructure, the CFMEU's troubling ecosystem of violence against women intertwined with organized crime must be carefully examined. Watson has emphasized the need for true accountability from the higher authorities, criticizing the Victorian government for its inadequate response to these severe allegations.
Time will tell whether the extensive problems within the Big Build will finally receive the earnest investigation and reform needed to protect the most vulnerable workers within the industry. This pressing issue calls for immediate attention and action from both union leadership and the government, to safeguard the rights and safety of all workers and stem the tide of violence and intimidation against women.
These incidents are not isolated, but symptomatic of deep-seated issues requiring urgent examination and reform. Tackling the structural inequalities and the culture of silence must become the priority to prevent future tragedies and restore safety and dignity to the workforce.