ALI MOORE, HOST: Well, CFMEU now, we've been talking about it all week. The latest reaction to the allegations against the construction branch of the union. The National Executive of the ALP met today. They have cut ties. They've blocked donations from the construction division. In that meeting was Federal Labor frontbencher Tim Ayres. Senator Ayres, welcome to Drive.

SENATOR TIM AYRES, ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR TRADE AND MANUFACTURING: G'day, Ali. Good to be on the show. I have a few memories of Falls Creek myself, I have to say.

MOORE: Oh, have you? A bit of a scare.

AYRES: Beautiful part of the world. I lived in Albury-Wodonga for a few years and got on the bus to Falls Creek every weekend during winter. It was fantastic.

MOORE: Yeah, it is a lovely part of the world.

AYRES: I think if I put some skis on now, the next thing somebody should do is call the ambulance.

MOORE: She might have been.

AYRES: My skiing days are over.

MOORE: Maybe the paramedic that we had on earlier might have been of assistance. I completely identify with that, Senator Ayres. Now, was the National Executive today, the meeting, was it a heated meeting?

AYRES: Well, look, the first thing I should say, Ali, is as a matter of principle, I don't discuss the internal workings of forums like the Labor Party National Executive or the internal workings of the Labor Party. But it is certainly true to say that there is in response to the request from the premiers, including your Premier Jacinta Allan, and the strong action from the federal government, the Labor Party National Executive has taken strong action in those states to, suspend the CFMEU from participation in the Labor Party. To suspend them from the rights and privileges that come with, that come with affiliation. And also, as you said in your introduction, that the Labor party will not be accepting donations from this organisation until it cleans its house up, until it fixes what are absolutely, clearly an appalling state of affairs that's not in the interests of the union movement more broadly and certainly not in the interests of construction workers.

MOORE: I'll get to those actions in a tick. But I do want to ask, and this doesn't really go to machinations, it just goes to what happened. Did, the head of the CFMEU sits on the National Executive, that's Zach Smith. Did he absent himself today?

AYRES: Well, I think despite my reluctance to engage in the internal workings of these issues, he, of course, recognised that it wouldn't be appropriate for him to be there and I think that's the right call. But, it was a good discussion, and the Labor Party National Executive has made the right call, and it's made the right call with the right leadership from Premier Allan and from the Federal Government, the Albanese Government and Tony Burke's leadership on this question. Everybody in the government is absolutely appalled by what we have seen in the Channel Nine papers. Absolutely appalled and determined to act in a way that is effective, to reform this union and impose proper standards of governance that every Australian would expect.

MOORE: So, we look at that, the resolution to suspend the divisions of the construction divisions affiliation with Victoria, because that's what's been requested. And as you say, the other states as well, NSW, South Australia and Tasmania. It sounds important, suspending them. But what does it actually mean? What's the practical impact of it?

AYRES: Well, it means that they are disassociated from the Labor Party. That they cannot participate in the meetings and affairs of the Labor Party. That they don't have the rights that affiliation brings, which of course is participation in conferences, engagement with all of that work. We are a party that has a broad membership, that includes members of parliament, trade unions, ordinary members of the Labor Party. But we have expectations about what kind of, what kind of participation, what standards of governance apply. And I don't think there's any Australian who would say that what we've seen reported in the papers, behaviour and alleged behaviour falls far short, falls far short of all of that.

MOORE: So, what else? I guess the question becomes what else can the government do? Especially if the construction division opposes the appointment of an administrator, which you've asked the Fair Work, Fair Work to go to court to get an administrator appointed. If it is fought by the union, Zach Smith, I mean, he said external administration and further interference isn't necessary. So, what can the government and the ALP do if the measures that you are trying to put in place are fought?

AYRES: Well, Tony Burke's the Workplace Relations Minister and he was very direct and clear on these issues yesterday. Everything is on the table in order to assure that effective action happens here. He has absolute confidence in the capacity of the statutory authority here, empowering them and backing them in. But he's also said that if it's required, if these issues are not resolved by the time that parliament comes back, and if there is any sign of contest on these issues that the parliament will do or the government will bring to the parliament, whatever is required to deliver the result that is needed. He was very emphatic on these questions. Now, he worked very carefully through the week to make sure that the government's response was effective and used all of the powers available to the government. It was a very thoughtful response designed to deliver the right outcome for the construction industry and construction workers and for proper standards of governance. And I think anybody looking at the thoroughness of Tony's approach on these questions should have full confidence that the government will do whatever is required to bring about the reform of that union, the administration of that union. It will unfold exactly as Tony has suggested.

MOORE: Yep, we've heard - You're listening to Senator Tim Ayres. He's part of the ALP National Executive that met today over the CFMEU. Just a final question, Senator. Timing of all of this, particularly if there is legislation required, there's no indication about how quickly Fair Work can go to the court. Was there any conversation today or do you have any insight? We have tried to get the Minister Burke. He's not been available to us. But do you have any insight into how long it will take for this process to be in place and for change to happen?

AYRES: Well, it will take as long as it takes. Tony Burke was very clear about these issues, about the determination of the government not to take the easy path through, to take the hard path through of intervention and administration.​

MOORE: But he hasn't given - he hasn't told you or given an indication to -

AYRES: I'll let Tony talk to timelines, but I took from what he said yesterday that this will take as long as it takes. The government is absolutely determined to deliver the right result here and we couldn't be more united and determined on that. On that question, it's 100 per cent support for what Minister Burke said yesterday. It's a result of a lot of hard work and the determination of the government to act on these issues. I am, as everybody else is, just absolutely shocked at the shameful behaviour that's been described here.

MOORE: Senator Ayres, I will take issue with that. I think there's a lot of people who are not particularly shocked by the shameful behaviour that we have been hearing about. But I take the point that you are, and we do appreciate you talking to us this afternoon. Many thanks.

AYRES: Anytime, Ali. See you later.

MOORE: Senator Tim Ayres there, Federal Labor frontbencher, part of the National Executive. They met today. Essentially they've cut ties and they've blocked donations. It was interesting to hear that Zach Smith, who does sit on that National Executive and as head of the CFMEU, did absent himself. It would have been a fundamental conflict of interest.

ENDS.