When asked why John Setka had only been suspended for five years, CFMEU Administrator Michael Crosby AM said “Because the rules limit me to a maximum period of five years. That’s as much as I can do.”
The Coalition believes the Administrator should not be constrained by a time limit for expelling members or disqualifying officers from the CFMEU.
The Fair Work Amendment (Disqualified Officers) Bill 2026, introduced into the Senate today, will strengthen the CFMEU Administrator’s powers to deal with serious misconduct.
This Private Senator’s Bill will remove the current cap of a maximum of five years and allow for longer or indefinite exclusions where warranted.
It would also prevent disqualified individuals from simply moving into other positions in registered organisations and allow the Administrator to revisit existing decisions constrained by the five-year limit.
The Bill follows confronting evidence before the Queensland Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry and the extensive reporting of alleged misconduct on Victoria’s Big Build.
Senator Hume said the CFMEU Administrator should have the powers he needs to deal with the worst cases of misconduct to ensure that the union cannot simply recycle officials.
“If conduct warrants a ban of more than five years, or an indefinite ban, an arbitrary legislative cap should not stand in the way.
“This Bill removes that constraint and ensures those disqualified cannot simply move sideways into another position in a registered organisation.”
The Bill is available online here .
