THE HON BILL SHORTEN MP

LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

MEMBER FOR MARIBYRNONG

 

THE HON DAVID FEENEY MP

SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR DEFENCE

SHADOW MINISTER FOR JUSTICE

MEMBER FOR BATMAN

 

JOINT STATEMENT

GOVERNMENT MUST ACT NOW ON CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS

The Abbott Government must form a high-powered Joint Police Taskforce to immediately investigate allegations of corruption reported in the building construction industry.

 

The allegations that have surfaced are extremely serious and must be urgently investigated by the police.

 

Under the Opposition’s proposal, a multi-jurisdictional taskforce would be led by the Australian Federal Police and include state police forces, to investigate allegations of corruption in the building construction industry, including union representatives and employers.

 

Labor calls on the Abbott Government to immediately launch this taskforce to tackle these allegations now, rather than delay any investigations through a Royal Commission.

 

If corrupt activities are occurring, these criminals should feel the full force of the law – and they should feel it now.

 

It should be funded by the Abbott Government and operate in a similar way to the AFP-led Anti-Gang Taskforce, formed by Labor with $64m in funding.

 

The most appropriate authorities to investigate these matters are police, given the allegations involve serious criminal behaviour.

 

This is a very serious issue and it demands a very serious response from the Abbott Government – that means resourcing police to do their job as efficiently and effectively as possible.

 

Our federal and state police do an outstanding job and it’s the responsibility of the Government to ensure they are properly resourced to do their critical work.

 

Unlike police, Royal Commissions do not have the power to arrest, charge or prosecute.

 

Along with all Australians, Labor condemns corruption and bribery in all its forms which is why these allegations must be investigated now.

 

In Government Labor gave the Fair Work Commission the ability to assist with specific police investigations, powers which stand to greatly assist police investigating these allegations.

 

SUNDAY, 9 FEBRUARY 2014

 

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