A father and son have been sentenced today (21 November, 2025) to a combined maximum of four years' imprisonment for soliciting and accepting illegal payments from the owner of a building company while they had senior roles at the Construction, Forestry, Mining, Maritime and Energy Union (CFMEU).
A 60-year-old man, of Bradbury, was sentenced by the Downing Centre District Court to two years and six months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of 10 months. In April 2025, he pleaded guilty to two counts of receiving a corrupting benefit, contrary to section 536D(2) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
A 40-year-old man, of Caringbah South, was sentenced by the Downing Centre District Court to one year and six months' imprisonment, with a non-parole period of six months. In April 2025, he pleaded guilty to:
One count of wilfully or corruptly making a false declaration contrary to section 25(a) of the Oaths Act 1900 (NSW); and
One count of receiving a corrupting benefit contrary to section 536D(2) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
The NSW Trade Union Taskforce, comprising members of the AFP and NSW Police, launched an investigation into the reports of corrupt payments from builders to union officials.
The investigation identified the father, who held a senior role with the NSW branch of the union, had received $20,000 cash in bribes between November 2018 and June 2020 from the owner of a construction company in exchange for preferential treatment from the union.
His son, who also held a senior role with the same union, received $10,000 cash in bribes between January 2019 and May 2019 from the same individual.
The bribes were received by the father and son to assist in facilitating access to building contracts for the construction company.
The 40-year-old man was also sentenced for falsely nominating a foreign worker as the driver of a union vehicle, which he had been driving, which incurred a red light infringement in October 2018.
Following the NSW Trade Union Taskforce investigation, the father and son were arrested and charged in September 2021.
In May 2022, the then-47-year-old construction company owner was sentenced at Downing Centre District Court to two years and seven months' imprisonment, to be served in the community as an Intensive Correction Order.
He had previously pleaded guilty to three counts of giving a corrupting benefit, contrary to section 536D(1) of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth).
AFP Commander Brett James said any union member who engages in corruption or criminal conduct for their own personal benefit can expect to face the full force of the law.
"The construction industry is a major pillar of both the NSW and Australian economies. Any criminal or corrupt activity, seeking to benefit a small number at the cost of many, will not be tolerated," Commander James said.
"The AFP remains committed to investigating and prosecuting any form of corruption, ensuring unions operate free from unlawful influence and corrupt activity."
