TRANSCRIPT
- The Prime Minister says the independent administrator of CFMEU will have the power to "clean up" the union after corruption claims
- Victoria a step closer to becoming the first state in Australia to sign a treaty with Indigenous Australians
- In rugby league, Queensland say they'll be a frightening prospect in tonight's winner-takes-all third State of Origin game
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says the independent administrator of the CFMEU will have the power to "clean up" the union, after allegations of organised crime links.
Murray Furlong, the Fair Work Commission general manager, has been appointed the independent administrator.
Workplace relations minister Tony Burke says he would introduce further legislation, if needed, to allow Mr Furlong to take action.
He says he won't be moving to deregister the union as that step would " be a gift to the worst elements".
Mr Albanese defended the federal government's response, denying the union had shamed the Labor Party, and he pointed to his action in 2019 of removing former Victorian CFMEU boss John Setka as a member of the Labor Party.
"We're appointing administrators right across these three branches. And that's appropriate. We're not waiting, we're being decisive. And we've worked through with the Fair Work Commission - as we said we would do - and with legal advice, as we said we would do. And today, we have announced the action that is appropriate - that will stamp out this corruption, once and for all."
Mr Albanese says he will be seeking to suspend the CFMEU from the federal Labor Party over the coming days.
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Victoria's truth-telling commission will inquire into allegations Indigenous workers have not been given a fair go on government construction worksites following the CFMEU scandal.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission says it was concerned by reports of government failures to ensure fairness in the awarding and administration of large contracts in the construction sector.
It comes after Premier Jacinta Allan acknowledged it took too long to reply to an Indigenous labour-hire firm's 2022 letter detailing allegations of CFMEU officials threatening violence and banning non-aligned firms from state and federally funded projects.
Yoorrook has the powers of a royal commission, meaning it can call witnesses, compel the production of documents and make findings and recommendations
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Victoria is a step closer to becoming the first state to sign a treaty with Indigenous Australians.
The First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria is officially entering into treaty negotiations with the state government.
Assembly co-chair Rueben Berg says the goal is to deliver long-term solutions for First Nations Australians - which will also improve the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
"But not just for the First Peoples' community of Victoria. Treaty will deliver benefits for all Victorians. So we encourage all Victorians as well to follow in our journey - and support us on this. We're very much focused on some structural reform to make sure that decision-making of government, about First Peoples can be transferred to First Peoples. That we can hold government account, and that we can provide direct advice to government. Those are the key things we're focusing on first part of these negotiations."
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Foreign Minister Penny Wong says Australia will continue to support efforts to hold Russia accountable for the downing of flight MH17 a decade ago.
Australian officials and families have gathered at parliament house on the 10th anniversary to remember the lives lost.
All 298 people on board the plane died when it was shot down with a Russian-made missile, while flying over the conflict-hit eastern Ukraine.
Those who died were from 17 countries - and included 38 Australians.
A Dutch court in November 2022 found two Russians and a Ukrainian separatist guilty of their murders - and there is a separate legal case underway before the International Civil Aviation Organization Council.
Ms Wong says Australia will be doing all it can to pursue the legal case.
"And the findings of this same court unequivocally and conclusively established Russia's responsibility for the downing of MH17. So while we are appalled that Russia has withdrawn from the action that Australia and the Netherlands initiated in the International Civil Aviation organisation, the case will continue. And we will not be deterred in our commitment to hold Russia to account."
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In rugby league, Queensland say their game two defeat to New South Wales will make them a frightening prospect in tonight's third and deciding State of Origin match in Brisbane.
Queensland won the first game of the series in Sydney, 38 points to 10.
But New South Wales crushed the Maroons three weeks ago in game two in Melbourne, 38 points to 18, to force a winner-takes-all game three against the Billy Slater-coached Queensland side.
Queensland assistant coach Josh Hannay is warning it will be very tough to combat a Slater-led Queensland side looking to avenge a humiliating defeat.
"He, like all of us, was stung by game two. It would be ridiculous to think that he wouldn't be hurting after that. But he's a winner. He's won his whole career. And he doesn't like sitting through what he had to sit through in game two. So, the only thing I've witnessed is a more determined Billy Slater. And that is a frightening prospect."
