A shocking revelation has emerged in the ongoing saga of corruption within the CFMEU, leaving many questioning the integrity of the construction industry. But here's where it gets controversial: the arrest of Joel Leavitt, a former CFMEU official with alleged ties to outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Leavitt, a 32-year-old current member of the Bandidos, was taken into custody at an Eltham property, accused of a blackmail incident in January. The alleged victim, from Melbourne's inner-west, was coerced into paying a staggering $663,000. And he wasn't alone; two others, including a fellow Bandidos member, were also arrested in the Taskforce Hawk operation.
The arrest comes on the heels of a report submitted to Queensland's Commission of Inquiry, exposing Leavitt's alleged criminal past and his role in the Victorian construction industry. The report claims he made over $200,000 annually as a CFMEU health and safety rep, with a government-funded car at his disposal. Astonishingly, he even used this taxpayer-funded vehicle to get to the hospital after being shot in a Rebels OMCG clubhouse in 2023.
But the report doesn't stop there. It suggests Leavitt demanded payments from job seekers and required occasional fees to keep their positions. He also allegedly pressured the CFMEU to hire his friends and relatives for high-paying rail shutdown shifts, where workers could earn up to $15,000 weekly. The report even claims he insisted on a cleaning job for his mother, though she declined.
These arrests follow a damning report on the Victorian CFMEU, led by John Setka, which accused the union of associating with criminal elements and intimidating the state government with its industrial might. The report's author, Geoffrey Watson SC, believes the government turned a blind eye to the CFMEU's alleged illegal activities to ensure the completion of major construction projects.
Premier Ms. Allan refuted the report's claim that the CFMEU's actions cost taxpayers $15 billion but expressed remorse over the allegations of bribery, extortion, and violence. She praised Taskforce Hawk's efforts in combating organized crime in the construction sector, emphasizing their recent arrests and charges.
And this is the part most people miss: while the premier insists on taking appropriate action, the public is left wondering how deep the corruption runs and whether enough is being done to address it. Is this a mere tip of the iceberg, or are we witnessing a comprehensive crackdown on corruption? Share your thoughts below!
