Koori unionist raises awareness about rampant ‘black cladding’ in the construction industry in Victoria

In a conversation with NITV Radio, CFMEU’s Koori organiser, Joel Shackleton says Aboriginal people are being exploited into being the front for ‘black cladding’ in the construction industry in Victoria. ‘Black cladding’ involves businesses passing themselves off as majority Indigenous owned or controlled by using the names and faces of Aboriginal people to create a black front. This then unlocks access to contracts under government procurement policies that are designed to increase opportunities for Indigenous businesses and workers.

“We have simply been calling out the practice of ‘black cladding’, which is a disgraceful abuse of a system that’s supposed to help Aboriginal people.” – Joel Shackleton (CFMEU’s Koori organiser)