Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt reportedly threatened by people connected to CFMEU

Police have reportedly been stationed outside a Federal government minister’s home on Saturday after he was allegedly threatened by people connected to the scandal-plagued CFMEU. Workplace Relations Minister Murray Watt has received serious threats from people connected to CFMEU, and police have guarded his home as a result, 9News reported. It comes after the Albanese government passed legislation to put the branch into administration after allegations surfaced that it had engaged in corruption, stand over tactics and had been infiltrated by bikie gangs on the East Coast. Following the action, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his Government’s laws aimed to ensure the union was “free from corruption”. Unlike their eastern states counterparts, the administration in WA does not require CFMEU officials — such as state secretary Mick Buchan — to relinquish their roles. But it does strip them of decision-making power and they could be suspended at any point. WA Labor — which has received $25,000 from the union this financial year — has suspended ties with the WA CFMEU and will not take further donations from them during the administration, which could be as long as five years. Mr Cook had for weeks resisted pressure to follow the lead of other Labor branches and cut ties with the under-siege union, adamant allegations of links to organised crime were limited to the east coast. However, those claims were undermined after The West revealed the criminal past of some union officials.