Royal Commission into the Activities of the Australian Building Construction Employees' and Builders Labourers' Federation

Appointed by Letters Patent of 20 August 1981, issued by Governor-General Sir Zelman Cowen on the advice of the Fraser government, appointing John Spence Winneke QC from that day to inquire whether the Australian Building Construction Employees' and Builders Labourers' Federation or its officers or members had engaged in activities contrary to Commonwealth law, including demanding or receiving payments from employers and malpractice in union elections. Victoria issued a parallel commission to inquire into illegal, improper or corrupt activities; both required a report by 28 February 1982.

Legislation: Royal Commissions Act 1902

1. 19 February 1982Prime Minister and Victorian Premier announced an extension of the reporting date to 30 April 1982.

The report is dated May 1982 and was tabled in October 1982. Federal secretary Norm Gallagher was later convicted of corruptly receiving benefits from building companies, and the union was deregistered by the Hawke government and several state governments in 1986. The Parliamentary Handbook gives 20 October 1982 as the date the final report was presented.

• Inquiry into illegal or corrupt activities of the Builders Labourers' Federation
• Inquiry into payments demanded from building employers
• Inquiry into the conduct of union elections and affairs

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Some dates or links for this organisation are not fully confirmed. Corrections are welcome.