Police raided homes and business addresses in Queensland and Victoria, including the CFMEU’s Brisbane office, as part of a widening investigation into claims union officials were offered improper benefits.
The early morning operation stretched across both states on Wednesday, with Taskforce Hawk detectives and Queensland Police carrying out six warrants.
Investigators are examining claims tied to a Victorian labour hire company and Queensland-based CFMEU officials.
In Victoria, warrants were executed from 5am at two homes in Mount Eliza and Pascoe Vale, along with a commercial property in Oakleigh South.
In Queensland, detectives searched homes at Pimpama and Bahrs Scrub as well as the CFMEU’s Bowen Hills office.
Police removed electronic devices and paperwork from the addresses.
Three people were arrested and interviewed by police in Victoria, including a 46-year-old Mount Eliza man, a 47-year-old Mount Eliza woman, who is the director of a labour hire company, and a 33-year-old Pascoe Vale man.
The two men were later charged over unrelated matters and released from custody.
The Mount Eliza man has been charged with making a false document as part of a separate Taskforce Hawk investigation.
He was bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on December 1.
The Pascoe Vale man has been charged with distributing an intimate image following a cybercrime squad investigation into a reported data breach.
He was bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on January 14.
The woman remained in custody on Wednesday, while the warrant at the Bowen Hills office was still under way.
Police allege people linked to a Victorian-based labour hire company provided corrupting benefits to Queensland-based CFMEU officials in an effort to influence them in carrying out their duties.
The investigation began in July this year and remains ongoing.
Detectives are preparing a brief of evidence for the commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions to consider possible offences under the Fair Work Act.
If convicted, offenders face up to 10 years in prison.
Taskforce Hawk Detective Inspector Ross Mitchell said the long-running police effort was aimed at “eradicating criminality” in the construction sector.
“Those who are in the industry deserve to work in a fair and safe environment at all times,” Inspector Mitchell said.
He also flagged more work ahead with interstate agencies and urged people with information to come forward.
“As always, it can be done anonymously and reports will be treated with the strictest of confidence,” he said.
Originally published as Three arrested as police raid CFMEU Brisbane office and homes in two states