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Construction union boss to front inquiry

The boss of the NSW branch of the CFMEU, which allegedly took more than $100,000 in donations from a Chinese-backed company, will face a royal commission.

The boss of a construction union branch being investigated over lucrative donations from a company with Chinese links is expected to front the royal commission on trade union corruption.

The commission has heard evidence of links between Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union NSW secretary Brian Parker and businessman Jian Qiu Zhang.

The union, an ardent critic of Australia's free trade agreement with China, is being investigated over whether it entered into an agreement with Mr Zhang that meant it would not pursue a collective bargaining agreement with his company in exchange for financial gain.

Between 2011 and 2014, the union accepted more than $130,000 in donations from Mr Zhang's companies, the commission heard on Thursday.

Mr Parker is due to appear at the commission in Sydney on Friday.


1 min read

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Source: AAP



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