Former CFMEU boss Marcus Pare expelled from union
Don't miss out on the headlines from Victoria. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A former CFMEU boss who splurged $100,000 on a union credit card in 12 months and allegedly maintained contact with bikies, has been expelled from the construction union.
Marcus Pare, who ran the South Australian branch of the CFMEU while it was under the control of Victorian secretary John Setka, was turfed by administrator Mark Irving, KC, on Tuesday.
The decision bans Mr Pare from the union for four-and-a-half years, meaning he will be unable to contest the next union elections, due when the CFMEU returns to members' control.
An investigation into Mr Pare by the CFMEU administration found that he went on a spending spree across the country with union funds, including a $2714 dinner with unnamed officials where they sipped on 27 espresso martinis.
He also used the credit card to book a personal holiday to New Zealand, which he later paid back.
A report from investigators shows he advocated for a former Finks member to be a union delegate and helped get that man's mother a job, and that he transferred contacts of prominent Rebels and Mongols from a union phone to his personal device.
It also says he had given himself an unauthorised pay rise of $29,000, which Mr Pare claimed Mr Setka had endorsed.
'His failure to acknowledge, or apologise for, his conduct sheds light on the type of leader he was, as well as his disregard of his responsibilities and legal obligations,' the report says.
The Adelaide Advertiser attempted to contact Mr Pare on Wednesday.
When the investigation was released early this year, Mr Pare told News Corp it was 'political rubbish'.
'I take none of these attacks on me personal even though some days it does affect my mental health,' he said at the time.
The expulsion is a significant step for Mr Irving, who is attempting to clean up the union following his appointment as administrator, because of the likelihood Mr Pare will be unable to contest the next union elections.
It also gives clear air to the defacto boss of the South Australian branch, Travis Hera-Singh, who has indicated he wants to keep the branch local and cast off ties to Victoria.
Mr Irving's appointment was sparked by revelations the CFMEU had been infiltrated by bikies and underworld figures and had 'lost control'. Read related topics: CFMEU
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Courier-Mail
23 minutes ago
- Courier-Mail
2025 Victorian Architecture Awards hail best in the business
A cemetery depot, $90m Parliament House rescue mission and an innovative cancer treatment centre have been crowned among Victoria's best architectural projects of 2025. The state's Architecture Awards handed out 40 gongs at a ceremony last night. More than 380 submissions were made across 15 categories to the Australian Institute of Architects' Victorian Chapter for this year's competition. FPPV Architecture received the Conservation Architecture Award for its 18-year long restoration of Parliament House in Spring St. RELATED: What's the true value of great public architecture? Douglas Menzies Chambers sells for $23m in Melbourne CBD Global second-hand fashion fave eyes big entry to Geelong The studio's director Paul Viney said that in the beginning, he had to justify to the Victorian government's Treasury department why the circa-1850s, heritage-listed site 'should be restored and why it shouldn't just be replaced in another location'. At the time, FPPV produced concept plans that showed moving Parliament House to Spring St's southern end would cost taxpayers an estimated $2bn. Instead, Mr Viney and his team embarked on a $90m marathon effort to return the state's seat of democracy to its former glory. 'We put nearly 1000 cubic metres of stone into the building,' Mr Viney said. The entire process involved more than 340 drawings, 13 separate stages and research into historic construction techniques. Mr Viney said working on the restoration had given him a sense of pride. 'It is really is about delivering the restoration … for one of the most important Victorian-era architecture buildings in Australia,' he added. Mr Viney credited the ex-Department of Premier and Cabinet Strategic Projects director Peter Lockett for his work in the decision-making process to restore Parliament House. A multi-award recipient in the competition was Glenroy's Northern Memorial Park depot. Commissioned by the Greater Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust, it features training spaces for workers to practise grave-digging and working with mausoleums away from crying eyes. Searle X Waldron Architects director and design lead Suzannah Waldron said a training wall with six crypts was created for this purpose. 'It's a unique project, I would say in that it's a very specific workplace for people who have quite challenging roles and dealing daily with grief and loss at a cemetery,' Ms Waldron said. Searle X Waldron's aimed to transform the typical 'shed' idea of a traditional depot into a light-filled workplace that fostered wellbeing and connection. The result was a two-storey timber building with a pleated and perforated screen that wraps around it, set near woody meadows, wetlands and future public space within the memorial park. Between 80 to 100 employees are based at the depot which also incorporates a timber workshop, a horticulture space and work areas for stone masons, mechanics, metalwork and welding. Another award winner was the $152.4m Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre at Alfred Hospital. Designed by the Melbourne-based Lyons, it was named in honour of trucking magnate Lindsay Fox's wife Paula who had the first of their six children at the hospital. The Fox family were among the project's philanthropic supporters. Lyons director Hari Pliambas said the centre's eye-catching patterned facade was inspired by the cellular structure of healthy skin, while features include gardens and a dedicated wellness centre with a gym and larger areas for yoga and group exercise. The Lyons team aimed to re-imagine the traditional clinical model while creating a property suited to cancer treatment, clinical trials and partners like Monash University. 'From our very first conversation with Paula Fox — who articulated her deeply personal vision for the centre — through to the clinicians, researchers, and the wider Alfred Health team, there was a genuine collective commitment to creating something meaningful for future patients,' Mr Pliambas said. Elsewhere, fashion label Decjuba's Cremorne headquarters by Jackson Clements Burrows Architects received a Commercial Architecture commendation. Architecture firm Hassell was commended in the same category for the revitalisation of 120 Collins St, one of Australia's tallest office structures at 265m tall. 2025 VICTORIAN ARCHITECTURE AWARD WINNERS Victorian Medal The Northern Memorial Park depot by Searle X Waldron Architects Melbourne Prize The Northern Memorial Park depot by Searle X Waldron Architects Commercial architecture The Sir Osborn McCutcheon Award for Commercial Architecture: Melbourne Place, Kennedy Nolan Architecture awards 116 Rokeby St, Carr Everlane Cremorne, Fieldwork Northern Memorial Park Depot, Searle x Waldron Architecture The StandardX, Woods Bagot Commendations 120 Collins St Revitalisation, Hassell Decjuba HQ, Jackson Clements Burrows Architecture Educational architecture The Henry Bastow Award for Educational Architecture: Pascoe Vale Primary School, Kosloff Architecture Architecture award Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, ARM Architecture Commendations Kangan Institute Health and Community Centre of Excellence, Architectus Woodleigh Regenerative Futures Studio, Mcildowie Partners with Joost Bakker Heritage architecture The John George Knight Award for Heritage Central Goldfields Art Gallery, Nervegna Reed Architecture Architecture Award for Creative Adaptation Gunn Ridge House, Kennedy Nolan Architecture Award for Conservation Parliament House Stone Restoration Works, FPPV Architecture Commendation for Conservation Tower Hill Wildlife Reserve, Lovell Chen Interior architecture The Marion Mahony Award for Interior Architecture Melbourne Place, Kennedy Nolan Architecture Awards: Eva and Marc Besen Centre, Kerstin Thompson Architects she sells sea shells, Multiplicity Domain, Flack Studio Commendation Hume Council Chamber, Architecture Associates Public architecture The William Wardell Award for Public Architecture Eva and Marc Besen Centre. Kerstin Thompson Architects Architecture Awards Paula Fox Melanoma and Cancer Centre, Lyons Truganina Community Centre, Jasmax (Canvas Projects) Commendations Dendy Beach Pavilion and Brighton Life Saving Club, Jackson Clements Burrows Architects St Mary's Coptic Church, Studio Bright Residential architecture – houses (alterations and additions) The John and Phyllis Murphy Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (Alterations and Additions) Dunstan, SSdh Architecture Awards Carlton Cottage, Lovell Burton Architecture Gunn Ridge House, Kennedy Nolan Commendation A Light Addition, Office MI-JI Residential architecture – houses (new) The Harold Desbrowe Annear Award for Residential Architecture – Houses (New) Hedge and Arbour House, Studio Bright Architecture Awards Otway Beach House, Kerstin Thompson Architects she sells sea shells, Multiplicity Terrace House, Rob Kennon Architects Commendations Fishharven, Neil Architecture Shady Creek Farm House, MRTN Architects Stumpy Gully House, Adam Markowitz Design with Stavrias Architecture Residential architecture – multiple housing The Best Overend Award for Residential Architecture – Multiple Housing Nightingale Preston, Breathe Architecture Architecture Awards Newburgh Light House, Splinter Society Architecture Shiel St North Melbourne, Community Housing Project, Clare Cousins Architects Commendation The Paddock, CROSBY architects Small project architecture The Kevin Borland Award for Small Project Architecture Grace Darling Hotel Parklet, Kerry Kounnapis Architecture Practice Architecture Award Geelong Laneways: Malop Arcade, NMBW Architecture Studio with ASPECT Studios Commendation Wangun Amphitheatre, Equity Office Urban design The Joseph Reed Award for Urban Design Glen Huntly Station, COX Architecture with Rush Wright Associates Architecture Award Dendy Beach Pavillion and Brighton Life Saving Club, Jackson Clements Burrows Commendation Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, ARM Architecture Enduring architecture Maggie Edmond Enduring Architecture Award Nicholas Building, Harry Norris COLORBOND award for steel architecture Casuarina Pavilion, Greenaway Architects (GA) Commendation Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, ARM Architecture Dimity Reed Melbourne prize Northern Memorial Park Depot, Searle x Waldron Architecture EmAGN project award Dunstan, SSdH Regional prize Munarra Centre for Regional Excellence, ARM Architecture Sustainable architecture The Allan and Beth Coldicutt Award for Sustainable Architecture The Paddock, CROSBY architects Architecture Award Woodleigh Regenerative Futures Studio, Mcildowie Partners with Joost Bakker Commendation Northern Memorial Park Depot, Searle x Waldron Architecture Emerging architect prize Stephanie Kitingan, Jacqueline OBrien, James Flaherty, Placement Bates Smart architecture in media State Award March Studio: Making Architecture, Material & Process, Dr Fleur Watson National Award Gromboyd, Maria Larkins Advocacy Award When Robin Boys Went to Japan, NMBW Architecture Studio and Robin Boyd Foundation with CIBI Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: Mount Waverley luxe designer home hits market Cranbourne church turned tavern listed for $3.6m Jaw-dropping Aussie mansion shatters record
The Advertiser
5 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Opposition pledges billion-dollar 'budget crisis' fix
Tasmania's alternative government says it will immediately save the state $1 billion if it wins next month's snap election. Having cited poor budget management when driving through a successful no-confidence motion against the government, Opposition Leader Dean Winter unveiled his repair plan on Saturday. The Labor plan is designed to immediately find $1 billion in savings, while it also commits, in government, to put any windfall tax revenue gains towards debt reduction. Figures released by treasury on Wednesday forecast a worse financial position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget. Treasury predicted net debt would reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion. Mr Winter said the "crippling" debt had put Tasmania into a budget crisis and required a change of leadership to fix. "Tasmania has gone from having the strongest balance sheet of any state or territory when the Liberals were first elected in 2014 (and have) taken Tasmania to be almost bankrupt," he said. "The size and scope of the problem is enormous. The Liberals and Jeremy Rockliff have been warned about this by treasury for at least four years, and they've done nothing about it." Labor plans to establish a debt reduction fund, audit the capital investment program and ensure public assets are not privatised to ensure revenue streams among other ideas. They also would establish an internal jobs market in the public service, designed to stop the growth of the workforce. "If we create more mobility in the public service, we'll get a public service that's more agile, it's about reorganising and re-prioritising and stopping the jobs growth, which is unsustainable," Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie said. Liberal Treasurer Guy Barnett said the budget plan was "one giant con" because $171.5 million worth of cuts to capital works did not specify which projects. The government accused Labor of wanting to sell the state's stake in the Marinus Link that would allow Tasmania and its hydropower to become the nation's battery. "Dean Winter wants to sell a stake in Marinus (but) we are not going to … give effectively more control and more power of our power to the Victorian premier," Mr Rockliff said. The Liberals have pledged measures to cut spending in the public service but abandoned potential state asset sales as a means of paying down debt. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in majority. Tasmania heads to the polls on July 19. Tasmania's alternative government says it will immediately save the state $1 billion if it wins next month's snap election. Having cited poor budget management when driving through a successful no-confidence motion against the government, Opposition Leader Dean Winter unveiled his repair plan on Saturday. The Labor plan is designed to immediately find $1 billion in savings, while it also commits, in government, to put any windfall tax revenue gains towards debt reduction. Figures released by treasury on Wednesday forecast a worse financial position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget. Treasury predicted net debt would reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion. Mr Winter said the "crippling" debt had put Tasmania into a budget crisis and required a change of leadership to fix. "Tasmania has gone from having the strongest balance sheet of any state or territory when the Liberals were first elected in 2014 (and have) taken Tasmania to be almost bankrupt," he said. "The size and scope of the problem is enormous. The Liberals and Jeremy Rockliff have been warned about this by treasury for at least four years, and they've done nothing about it." Labor plans to establish a debt reduction fund, audit the capital investment program and ensure public assets are not privatised to ensure revenue streams among other ideas. They also would establish an internal jobs market in the public service, designed to stop the growth of the workforce. "If we create more mobility in the public service, we'll get a public service that's more agile, it's about reorganising and re-prioritising and stopping the jobs growth, which is unsustainable," Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie said. Liberal Treasurer Guy Barnett said the budget plan was "one giant con" because $171.5 million worth of cuts to capital works did not specify which projects. The government accused Labor of wanting to sell the state's stake in the Marinus Link that would allow Tasmania and its hydropower to become the nation's battery. "Dean Winter wants to sell a stake in Marinus (but) we are not going to … give effectively more control and more power of our power to the Victorian premier," Mr Rockliff said. The Liberals have pledged measures to cut spending in the public service but abandoned potential state asset sales as a means of paying down debt. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in majority. Tasmania heads to the polls on July 19. Tasmania's alternative government says it will immediately save the state $1 billion if it wins next month's snap election. Having cited poor budget management when driving through a successful no-confidence motion against the government, Opposition Leader Dean Winter unveiled his repair plan on Saturday. The Labor plan is designed to immediately find $1 billion in savings, while it also commits, in government, to put any windfall tax revenue gains towards debt reduction. Figures released by treasury on Wednesday forecast a worse financial position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget. Treasury predicted net debt would reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion. Mr Winter said the "crippling" debt had put Tasmania into a budget crisis and required a change of leadership to fix. "Tasmania has gone from having the strongest balance sheet of any state or territory when the Liberals were first elected in 2014 (and have) taken Tasmania to be almost bankrupt," he said. "The size and scope of the problem is enormous. The Liberals and Jeremy Rockliff have been warned about this by treasury for at least four years, and they've done nothing about it." Labor plans to establish a debt reduction fund, audit the capital investment program and ensure public assets are not privatised to ensure revenue streams among other ideas. They also would establish an internal jobs market in the public service, designed to stop the growth of the workforce. "If we create more mobility in the public service, we'll get a public service that's more agile, it's about reorganising and re-prioritising and stopping the jobs growth, which is unsustainable," Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie said. Liberal Treasurer Guy Barnett said the budget plan was "one giant con" because $171.5 million worth of cuts to capital works did not specify which projects. The government accused Labor of wanting to sell the state's stake in the Marinus Link that would allow Tasmania and its hydropower to become the nation's battery. "Dean Winter wants to sell a stake in Marinus (but) we are not going to … give effectively more control and more power of our power to the Victorian premier," Mr Rockliff said. The Liberals have pledged measures to cut spending in the public service but abandoned potential state asset sales as a means of paying down debt. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in majority. Tasmania heads to the polls on July 19. Tasmania's alternative government says it will immediately save the state $1 billion if it wins next month's snap election. Having cited poor budget management when driving through a successful no-confidence motion against the government, Opposition Leader Dean Winter unveiled his repair plan on Saturday. The Labor plan is designed to immediately find $1 billion in savings, while it also commits, in government, to put any windfall tax revenue gains towards debt reduction. Figures released by treasury on Wednesday forecast a worse financial position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget. Treasury predicted net debt would reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion. Mr Winter said the "crippling" debt had put Tasmania into a budget crisis and required a change of leadership to fix. "Tasmania has gone from having the strongest balance sheet of any state or territory when the Liberals were first elected in 2014 (and have) taken Tasmania to be almost bankrupt," he said. "The size and scope of the problem is enormous. The Liberals and Jeremy Rockliff have been warned about this by treasury for at least four years, and they've done nothing about it." Labor plans to establish a debt reduction fund, audit the capital investment program and ensure public assets are not privatised to ensure revenue streams among other ideas. They also would establish an internal jobs market in the public service, designed to stop the growth of the workforce. "If we create more mobility in the public service, we'll get a public service that's more agile, it's about reorganising and re-prioritising and stopping the jobs growth, which is unsustainable," Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie said. Liberal Treasurer Guy Barnett said the budget plan was "one giant con" because $171.5 million worth of cuts to capital works did not specify which projects. The government accused Labor of wanting to sell the state's stake in the Marinus Link that would allow Tasmania and its hydropower to become the nation's battery. "Dean Winter wants to sell a stake in Marinus (but) we are not going to … give effectively more control and more power of our power to the Victorian premier," Mr Rockliff said. The Liberals have pledged measures to cut spending in the public service but abandoned potential state asset sales as a means of paying down debt. The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in majority. Tasmania heads to the polls on July 19.
Sky News AU
6 hours ago
- Sky News AU
Human remains found in search for missing Sunbury man, male suspect arrested by police
A man has been arrested after human remains were discovered in relation to the disappearance of a Victorian man. Sunbury man Joshua Bishop, 23, had been missing for a month after last being seen by his housemates about 9.30pm on May 27. He was reported missing two days later. On Saturday, police executed a search warrant at a home in Erinbank Crescent in Westmeadows where they found human remains. The human remains have not yet been identified but police believe they may belong to Mr Bishop. Detectives arrested a 27-year-old man at the scene and he is expected to face questioning on the remains. The Missing Persons Squad is leading the investigation, which remains ongoing. Anyone who has information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
