21 March 2025

Dr Caralee McLiesh PSM 
Auditor-General 
Australian National Audit Office 
GPO Box 707 CANBERRA ACT 2601

By email: ag1@anao.gov.au

Dear Dr McLiesh,

I write to request that the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) undertake an audit to investigate the actions of the Government and relevant departments in relation to a grant (GA441235) of $5,488,195.90 awarded to The Trustee for Redundancy Payment Central Fund, more commonly known as Incolink.

As widely reported in the media, including in The Age on 19 March 2025, the grant was awarded to Incolink, which is owned by the CFMEU. The CFMEU has been subject to significant allegations of misconduct, including instances of violence against women, sexual harassment, and a culture of covering up such behaviour.

I also note that on 23 August 2024, the CFMEU and its Divisional branches were placed under administration for a period of up to 5 years, in accordance with the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Act 2024.

Given these revelations, there is a strong public interest in scrutinising whether the decision to award this grant was appropriate and in alignment with the Government’s own governance and accountability standards. There is also a very real risk that the Government has given this grant to Incolink in order to directly benefit the CFMEU, who have donated millions of dollars to the Australian Labor Party.

Concerns regarding CFMEU’s eligibility for funding under this program were previously raised by the Coalition during Senate Estimates in November 2024. Despite the Nine Entertainment Company’s 14 July 2024 exposé on the CFMEU’s misconduct, the CFMEU were still eligible for grants under the Building Women’s Careers Program (Question on Notice - SQ-001874).

Furthermore, on 6 November 2024 Employment and Workplace Relations Minister, Senator Murray Watt, acknowledged in Senate Estimates that "it does appear that elements of the CFMEU have been infiltrated by organised crime." This statement underscores serious concerns regarding the governance and integrity of organisations affiliated with the grant recipient.

As you would be aware, the Commonwealth Grants Rules and Principles 2024 (CGRP) requires that all grant funding decisions be transparent, demonstrate value for money, and ensure that recipients meet the highest standards of probity and accountability. Given the gravity of the allegations against the CFMEU, and their partnership with Incolink, I urge the ANAO to review the grant’s compliance with the CGRP, in particular:

• The due diligence undertaken by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and any other relevant departments in assessing the suitability of CFMEU-affiliated entities as beneficiaries;
• Any risk assessments conducted concerning the CFMEU’s involvement.

I look forward to your response.

Yours sincerely

Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash