When Faruk Orman aligned with ex-AFL goal sneak Kayne Pettifer to secure CFMEU support for a labour-hire firm, it was a case study in underworld figures monetising union backing.
In late 2022, staff at national labour-hire firm Zancott, a company that has provided workers to the National Broadband Network rollout, Melbourne’s Westgate Tunnel project and a major Defence Force base upgrade, noticed some new faces in the office.
While Orman had quickly vanished from public view after his release, his appearance with Pettifer at Zancott would plant the seed that would ultimately land the ex-gangland figure at the centre of another very public scandal this week.
The arrival of Orman to Zancott in 2022 was part of an arduous personal journey. From being a young gangland figure in the early 2000s, he morphed into a fixer for Mick Gatto and right-hand man to gun-for-hire Andrew “Benji” Veniamin, to a construction industry mover and shaker. But there were hints that Orman had backers in the union. Corporate records show that in September 2022, Orman had helped to set up an Indigenous company for government projects called ZK Civil Infrastructure.The CFMEU quickly granted ZK Civil a greenfields agreement, a special EBA reserved for new businesses that do not yet have employees.
“Buzzacott was open that Orman had the pull in the union to get the agreement. He said he was prepared to pay for it,” the insider said, describing plans for ZK to work with Zancott to supply workers on major Victorian projects. Asked how it was still in his control, he said: “Behind the scenes there are other agreements in place between various shareholders and directors.”
He also claimed ZK was dormant, having never realised its aim of winning valuable labour-hire contracts. Buzzacott said his business focus was on Zancott.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The footballer, the underworld and the union deal that exposes construction’s dark secretsWhen Faruk Orman aligned with ex-AFL goal sneak Kayne Pettifer to secure CFMEU support for a labour-hire firm, it was a case study in underworld figures monetising union backing.
Read more »
Child protection workers in northern WA under-resourced, as union urges more government supportThe union representing child protection staff says workers in the Kimberley are disillusioned and employed by a system that is struggling to achieve positive outcomes for families.
Read more »
Union calls for greater protection after man allegedly assaults, stabs Sydney hospital staffThe man, believed to have been a patient at the hospital, was arrested and remains under police guard.
Read more »
Japan v England: rugby union internationalWill England get the better of their reunion with Eddie Jones? Find out with Daniel Gallan
Read more »
Teachers slam their own union over ‘outrageous’ phonics stanceThe powerful Australian Education Union faces internal dissent over its opposition to Victoria’s mandate for public schools to introduce structured phonics.
Read more »
Teachers slam their own union over ‘outrageous’ phonics stanceThe powerful Australian Education Union faces internal dissent over its opposition to Victoria’s mandate for public schools to introduce structured phonics.
Read more »