CDPP withdraws criminal cartel charges against CFMMEU and O’Mara

The Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions (CDPP) today withdrew criminal cartel charges against the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMMEU) and ACT Divisional Branch Secretary, Jason O’Mara.

The allegation was that the CFMMEU and O’Mara ‘attempted to induce suppliers of scaffolding services to enter into cartel arrangements regarding prices for scaffolding services provided to builders in the ACT in 2012 to 2013.’

The withdrawal was said to relate to the significant passage of time since the alleged conduct occurred and the challenge that posed for witnesses.

See ACCC, ‘Criminal cartel charges against CFMMEU and Jason O’Mara withdrawn’ (ACCC, 17 August 2021)

See also

• ACCC, ‘Criminal cartel charges laid against CFMMEU and its ACT branch secretary‘ (Media Release, 16 August 2018)

• Elliot Williams, ‘CFMMEU and ACT secretary accused of cartel conduct to fight charges at federal trial’ (20 August 2019)