Grahame McCulloch, a former communist and long-time academics’ union boss, was appointed in late August to oversee the Victorian branch of the CFMEU following revelations of corruption, intimidation, and criminal infiltration within the union. However, he has suddenly resigned just weeks after his appointment. McCulloch, who was expected to lead the effort to clean up the branch once controlled by John Setka, has not provided reasons for his resignation.
The appointment of administrator Mark Irving came after a push by the federal government to place the CFMEU into administration in light of the damning findings. Irving now faces the daunting task of taking control of the union in the wake of McCulloch’s departure. The former leadership regime, including ex-CFMEU bosses John Setka, Darren Greenfield, and Michael Ravbar, are said to be organizing fighting funds and alliances with sympathetic unions to destabilize Irving’s administration.
McCulloch, who previously served as the founding general secretary of the left-wing National Tertiary Education Union, was seen as someone who could potentially have credibility with the militant CFMEU members due to his background as a Communist Party member in the 1980s. However, he has since held senior roles in Labor and superannuation, indicating a shift in his political affiliations over the years since leaving the university union in 2018.
The sudden resignation of McCulloch has left many questions unanswered, with the administrator’s spokesperson confirming his departure but declining to provide further information. As Irving grapples with the significant challenges of assuming control of the union, the former leadership regime is reportedly attempting to create a rearguard movement to challenge his administration. This includes efforts to form alliances with sympathetic unions such as the Electrical Trades Union.
The Australian Financial Review, in collaboration with other media outlets, had published a series titled Building Bad that uncovered the corruption, intimidation, and criminal activities within the CFMEU. These revelations led to the federal government’s decision to push for the union’s administration and the subsequent appointment of Mark Irving as administrator. The ongoing efforts to clean up the Victorian branch of the CFMEU have been met with challenges and resistance from the former leadership and members.
Despite the setbacks and internal turmoil within the CFMEU, there is a continued effort to address the issues of corruption and misconduct within the union. With the administration now in place and ongoing investigations into the actions of former leaders, there is hope for a renewed focus on accountability and transparency within the organization. The resignation of Grahame McCulloch may have added to the complexities of the situation, but it also presents an opportunity for a fresh perspective and approach in addressing the challenges facing the Victorian branch of the CFMEU.
