A federal court judge has doubled a fine imposed on the CFMEU after officials called police and workplace safety inspectors 'corrupt'.
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00:00Three years ago, the Federal Court fined the CFMEU and two of its delegates $75,000 after
00:07the two men were found guilty of improper conduct when they called police and WorkSafe
00:12officials corrupt and lapdogs.
00:14This was during an incident in 2019 on Victoria's Westgate tunnel project when the builder John
00:19Holland was trying to install some bridge beams.
00:22The CFMEU had concerns over the safety processes there and a standoff ensured.
00:26And then when the police and WorkSafe arrived, these comments were made by these two officials.
00:30So the fine was $75,000, but the Fair Work Ombudsman said that was not enough and the
00:36Federal Court in an appeal today agreed, pushing the fines up to $170,000.
00:40Now it's interesting to note that the Federal Court Justice Snayden said that the CFMEU
00:46required yet further incentive to rein in the sorts of hostile moves, treatment and
00:50belligerence that seems far too commonly committed in its name.
00:53So fairly damning comments there from the court, but that fine again more than doubled
00:58to $170,000.