TO PAY ETU $100,000 COURT ORDERS BUILDER

The Federal Court ordered Builder Richard Crookes must pay $100,000 to the ETU.

Justice Goodman imposed penalties for three 2020 contraventions of Sections 501 and 502 of the Fair Work Act, which relate to right of entry. Employees of Richard Crookes Construction, a major builder, had either obstructed, delayed or denied entry to ETU organisers Antony Stegic and Lawrie Duff at the Opera Residences site on Macquarie St. Significant penalties were imposed because the contravening conduct was ‘flagrant and deliberate’.

The third and most serious contravention saw a security guard barge into Lawrie Duff to prevent his entry, on the instructions of a Richard Crookes manager.

The penalties to be paid to the ETU are $20,000, $35,000 and $45,000.

ETU Secretary Allen Hicks said ‘this great result sends a clear message to employers in the construction sector. You must not hinder, deny or obstruct our officials in the course of exercising their lawful right of entry’.

The ETU construction team continues to monitor and enforce safety across sites in NSW and the ACT.