AARON PATRICK: Notorious fixer Mick Gatto controls key construction business, anti-corruption lawyer alleges
AARON PATRICK: Geoffrey Watson told an inquiry into the CFMEU that industry fixer Mick Gatto controls an important labour hire business working on Victoria’s ‘Big Build’ projects.
Anti-corruption lawyer Geoffrey Watson told an inquiry today that notorious Victorian building industry fixer Mick Gatto controls an important labour hire business working on the state’s “Big Build” projects despite years of scrutiny over his links to the troubled construction division of the CFMEU.
“It is my view that all the evidence points to Mick Gatto controlling the M Group companies,” Mr Watson told an inquiry in Brisbane into the union. “I had any number of people tell me that they negotiated with Mick Gatto over M Group contracts.”
M1 Trades and Labour, which denies it is controlled by Gatto, is a registered labour hire contractor in Victoria, allowing it to bid for government contracts. The company has also expanded into Queensland.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mr Watson, who is being sued by Gatto for defamation for comments made outside the inquiry, accused Gatto of being involved in sham companies operated by “front-man directors” and one that collapsed owing the tax office $13 million.
“That’s a Gatto model from way back and he has had companies fall over time and time again,” Mr Watson told the inquiry today. “He does it all the time. He sets up people as front men for dummy companies.”
The allegation that Gatto continues to directly profit from Victoria’s infrastructure projects is significant given the Victorian government this week said it would conduct a royal commission into construction industry corruption.
Mr Watson accused Gatto of being at the centre of problems in the CFMEU in a report, Rotting From The Top, that was admitted as evidence in the Queensland inquiry in February. The report contributed to the resignation on Tuesday of Victorian Premier Jactina Allan by arguing corruption in the industry had cost the state more than $15 billion.
A barrister representing M1 Trades and Labour, Simon Wilson, KC, accused Mr Watson of having “a conspiracy attitude to everything” and said Gatto was paid consulting fees to help M1 secure work at constructions sites staffed by CFMEU members.
Mr Watson said: “I think you are being a bit rude there.”
Mr Wilson replied: “I’m going to be ruder later. Don’t worry.”
Commissioner Stuart Wood asked both lawyers to stop engaging in “theatre” and ask and answer questions in an orthodox way. “Mr Wilson, you don’t need all the abuse,” he said. “Just ask the question.”
In his evidence, Mr Watson complained Victorian government ministers attacked him publicly over the $15 billion figure but none contacted about his report.
“The police minister even had the temerity to say: ‘if I had a problem why didn’t I go to the police’” he told the inquiry.
“Oh by the way Police minister, did you? If you had of, you would have found out from your police force I was going to them every week. Yea I’m a little bit sensitive about that.”
