Demerger Amendment Will Fail To Rein In CFMEU Conduct

Amendments to the Fair Work Act to facilitate the demerger of the CFMEU will do absolutely nothing to constrain the conduct of the union.

The bill, which allows members of the CFMEU's manufacturing division to vote on separating from the union, passed the Senate on Tuesday.

The H.R. Nicholls Society's Senior Research Fellow John Lloyd PSM said the amendments are "not even guaranteed to reach their intended end". 

A secret ballot and other procedures are required before manufacturing workers are able to separate from the CFMEU.

"On building and construction sites, the CFMEU will continue to engage in aggressive and damaging conduct," Mr Lloyd said. 

"The Government promotes this change as conveying a preparedness to stand up to the CFMEU. In reality, it is a feeble and weak response.

"The CFMEU – ALP funding arrangements will likely continue.

"More specifically, the building and construction industry will continue to suffer from excessive costs, project delays, and poor productivity."