CONSTRUCTION Forestry Mining and Energy Union secretary Kevin Reynolds claims he is looking forward to giving evidence before the royal commission into the building industry when it comes back to Perth.
CONSTRUCTION Forestry Mining and Energy Union secretary Kevin Reynolds claims he is looking forward to giving evidence before the royal commission into the building industry when it comes back to Perth.
Mr Reynolds was due to give evidence before the commission when it visited Perth in March.
However, it is understood counsel assisting the commission, John Agius, was so surprised with the candour of other officials, such as CFMEU assistant secretary Joe McDonald, that he decided not to put Mr Reynolds in the witness box.
Several witnesses before the royal commission said their stay in the box was greatly shortened because Mr McDonald had admitted to many of the things, such as a willingness to shut down building sites, that Mr Agius expected would need to be supported by witness testimony.
Mr Reynolds is likely to face questions from Mr Agius this time around, however. There have been serious allegations raised against Mr Reynolds conduct over the past decade or more.
Questions have even been raised about the ownership structure of the Coolbellup Tavern – a business nominally linked to Mr Reynolds.
Mr Reynolds, however, insists that his efforts are solely for the betterment of his members.
He is also unwilling to make any allegations against those who accuse him of misdeeds.
“If I object to allegations being made against me I can’t very well turn around and throw stones at them,” Mr Reynolds said.
“But I have heard rumours and allegations against a lot of the building companies. Maybe the royal commission should take a look at the use of illegal immigrants on building sites.
“This commission is going on about casual tickets and lost time payments, but the employers are the ones that are paying it.
“We ask for it but it’s the builders that make the commercial decision to pay it.
“Over the past 30 years we’ve demanded lost time payments and the industrial relations commission has awarded it, so I suppose the builders expect that is the way it is.”
Mr Reynolds appears unconcerned about the possible ramifications from the Cole commission.
“I think this whole thing [royal commission] is a witch hunt. It’s just [Federal Industrial Relations Minister Tony] Abbott’s attempt to put his agenda in,” he said.
Mr Reynolds has been leading the CFMEU’s WA branch, in its various guises, for the past 18 years.
He became secretary of the then BLF in 1974 and has played leading roles in its amalgamation with the Building Industry Workers’ Union, the Operative Plasterers and Plaster Workers Federation of Australia and the Operative Painters’ and Decorators’ Union of Australia.
“I became a shop steward with the union and was asked to be a temporary organiser in 1972,” he said.
Mr Reynolds was due to give evidence before the commission when it visited Perth in March.
However, it is understood counsel assisting the commission, John Agius, was so surprised with the candour of other officials, such as CFMEU assistant secretary Joe McDonald, that he decided not to put Mr Reynolds in the witness box.
Several witnesses before the royal commission said their stay in the box was greatly shortened because Mr McDonald had admitted to many of the things, such as a willingness to shut down building sites, that Mr Agius expected would need to be supported by witness testimony.
Mr Reynolds is likely to face questions from Mr Agius this time around, however. There have been serious allegations raised against Mr Reynolds conduct over the past decade or more.
Questions have even been raised about the ownership structure of the Coolbellup Tavern – a business nominally linked to Mr Reynolds.
Mr Reynolds, however, insists that his efforts are solely for the betterment of his members.
He is also unwilling to make any allegations against those who accuse him of misdeeds.
“If I object to allegations being made against me I can’t very well turn around and throw stones at them,” Mr Reynolds said.
“But I have heard rumours and allegations against a lot of the building companies. Maybe the royal commission should take a look at the use of illegal immigrants on building sites.
“This commission is going on about casual tickets and lost time payments, but the employers are the ones that are paying it.
“We ask for it but it’s the builders that make the commercial decision to pay it.
“Over the past 30 years we’ve demanded lost time payments and the industrial relations commission has awarded it, so I suppose the builders expect that is the way it is.”
Mr Reynolds appears unconcerned about the possible ramifications from the Cole commission.
“I think this whole thing [royal commission] is a witch hunt. It’s just [Federal Industrial Relations Minister Tony] Abbott’s attempt to put his agenda in,” he said.
Mr Reynolds has been leading the CFMEU’s WA branch, in its various guises, for the past 18 years.
He became secretary of the then BLF in 1974 and has played leading roles in its amalgamation with the Building Industry Workers’ Union, the Operative Plasterers and Plaster Workers Federation of Australia and the Operative Painters’ and Decorators’ Union of Australia.
“I became a shop steward with the union and was asked to be a temporary organiser in 1972,” he said.
