A senior Allan government official reveals she was previously aware of the CFMEU allegation

Former ABCC chief Nigel Hadgkiss has called for the creation of a “strong, empowered body” to tackle “serious” problems within the CFMEU. An independent administrator will be appointed to review the CFMEU following allegations the union has been infiltrated by underworld figures. “I have no confidence that anything realistic (or) meaningful will be achieved,” Hadgkiss told Sky News presenter Peta Credlin. “An administrator, yes. We need to wind down the CFMEU. “We need a strong, empowered body to tackle a serious problem.”

Ms Kilkenny told reporters on Tuesday that as the MP for Carrum in Melbourne’s south-east, she had received an email raising concerns about the union’s conduct.

She could not confirm when the allegation reached her office, but indicated it was “not this year.”

Ms Kilkenny said she had raised the matter internally because she “felt it was appropriate”, but she would not comment on the content of that process.

She also said she had not told either former Premier Daniel Andrews or former Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan, who is now Premier, about the allegation.

Ms Kilkenny said the matter surrounding the unnamed local project was now before the Fair Work Commission.

“As a local MP I was made aware of an allegation and that matter was referred to the Fair Work Commission where it is being dealt with appropriately,” she said.

“As Minister of Planning I can say that I have not been spoken to or challenged on any other accusation.”

Ms Kilkenny said she only became aware of the recent allegations against the CFMEU through media reports, including claims of bullying, intimidation and criminal activity on construction sites and that motorcyclists had infiltrated the union.

“I saw the allegations in the media. And I will say this, there is absolutely no place for this kind of criminal behavior in our unions,” she said.

“The unions are there to protect workers in Victoria.”

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Since the latest CFMEU allegations came to light earlier this month, the Allan government has come under fire for its response to complaints against the Victoria union, which has been placed into administration.

Last week, Ms Allan sought to shed light on how she dealt with allegations levelled at her office when she was deputy prime minister and infrastructure minister.

“Last year I was advised by the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority, who were anecdotally aware of potential criminal incidents on construction sites here in Victoria,” she said.

Ms Allan acknowledged that the correspondence had not been acted upon quickly enough, but said steps were taken in June last year to alert Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton to potential criminal incidents on infrastructure projects.

“I also want to acknowledge today that the procedures currently in place… did not ensure that action was taken quickly or that certain correspondence was resolved quickly,” she said.

Shadow Planning Minister James Newbury on Tuesday reiterated the Opposition’s call for a royal commission into misconduct at the CFMEU.

“Every day the truth about the extent of Labour’s knowledge of scandalous union behaviour becomes clearer,” Mr Newbury said.

“The Prime Minister must commit to a Royal Commission investigating this serious misconduct. The Minister for Planning is required to provide public evidence.”