The CFMEU construction union has been under a cloud since investigative journalist Nick McKenzie started digging into allegations of corruption in 2024. Bikie figures, organised crime, intimidation. All taking place on major government-funded projects.

Now, a report has laid out all those stories in one place. And even Nick says he was stunned by the scale of it.

The report's author, barrister Geoffery Watson, not only tore the CFMEU to shreds - but also claimed the Victorian government knew about the problems, and failed to act.

But that section of Watson's report, that questioned the Victorian Labor government, was deleted before the report was published.

Today, Nine newspapers investigative reporter Nick McKenzie, on the incredible scale of the corruption at the CFMEU, and the serious questions the government has to answer.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Nick McKenzie, Nine newspapers investigative reporter

Photo: AAP Image/Joel Carrett

The CFMEU construction union has been under a cloud since investigative journalist Nick McKenzie started digging into allegations of corruption in 2024. Bikie figures, organised crime, intimidation. All taking place on major government-funded projects.
Now, a report has laid out all those stories in one place. And even Nick says he was stunned by the scale of it.
The report's author, barrister Geoffery Watson, not only tore the CFMEU to shreds - but also claimed the Victorian government knew about the problems, and failed to act.
But that section of Watson's report, that questioned the Victorian Labor government, was deleted before the report was published.
Today, Nine newspapers investigative reporter Nick McKenzie, on the incredible scale of the corruption at the CFMEU, and the serious questions the government has to answer.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Nick McKenzie, Nine newspapers investigative reporter
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Joel Carrett

An independent daily news show. We feature the country’s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

An independent daily news show. We feature the country&rsquo;s best reporters, covering the news as it affects Australia. This is news with narrative, every weekday.

Nick McKenzie on CFMEU corruption and Labor’s blind eye

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/fd3be3b5-5659-48c1-a329-b3f3007bce3b/transcript

Last year, the company that ran Australia’s immigration detention network for over a decade, British conglomerate Serco, lost its contract, but not before helping build what’s been called one of the world’s ‘most extreme and secretive’ detention regimes.

The question at the time was whether its replacement – American private prison operator MTC – would be any better.

Eighteen months later, we have an answer. Recorded incidents across the detention network have more than doubled – from almost 800 to over 1,600 – since MTC took over.

At the same time, Australia’s offshore detention system on Nauru is expanding – hundreds more people are being transferred to the island, and the Albanese government has announced plans to expand immigration detention as part of its crackdown on visa overstayers.

Today, journalist Denham Sadler on the private companies paid billions to run Australia’s immigration detention system – and the warnings that were there before MTC took over.

This episode was originally published in January, 2025.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Journalist Denham Sadler

Photo: AP Photo/Rick Rycroft

Last year, the company that ran Australia&rsquo;s immigration detention network for over a decade, British conglomerate Serco, lost its contract, but not before helping build what&rsquo;s been called one of the world&rsquo;s &lsquo;most extreme and secretive&rsquo; detention regimes.
The question at the time was whether its replacement &ndash; American private prison operator MTC &ndash; would be any better.
Eighteen months later, we have an answer. Recorded incidents across the detention network have more than doubled &ndash; from almost 800 to over 1,600 &ndash; since MTC took over.
At the same time, Australia&rsquo;s offshore detention system on Nauru is expanding &ndash; hundreds more people are being transferred to the island, and the Albanese government has announced plans to expand immigration detention as part of its crackdown on visa overstayers.
Today, journalist Denham Sadler on the private companies paid billions to run Australia&rsquo;s immigration detention system &ndash; and the warnings that were there before MTC took over.
This episode was originally published in January, 2025.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Journalist Denham Sadler
Photo:&nbsp;AP Photo/Rick Rycroft

Serco’s ugly legacy in Australia’s immigration detention system

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/746a8a7d-43b4-4efe-8d8a-b4c9004bf29f/transcript

Migration is shaping up to be the next big battleground in federal politics as Labor desperately tries to wrestle back control of the narrative from One Nation.

But does this week’s long-awaited plan leave the government stronger or weaker politically?

And could going harder on Pauline Hanson hold the key to tackling One Nation? This week, the major parties gave it a try as some of Hanson’s nasty comments came back to bite her.

Today, Contributing Editor at The New Daily, Amy Remeikis on immigration politics and whether some things are off limits, even for Pauline Hanson.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Contributing Editor at The New Daily, Amy Remeikis

Photo: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Migration is shaping up to be the next big battleground in federal politics as Labor desperately tries to wrestle back control of the narrative from One Nation.
But does this week&rsquo;s long-awaited plan leave the government stronger or weaker politically?
And could going harder on Pauline Hanson hold the key to tackling One Nation? This week, the major parties gave it a try as some of Hanson&rsquo;s nasty comments came back to bite her.
Today, Contributing Editor at The New Daily, Amy Remeikis on immigration politics and whether some things are off limits, even for Pauline Hanson.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Contributing Editor at The New Daily, Amy Remeikis
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Albo’s mum and “primitive” first Australians: has Pauline finally gone too far?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/7faef132-0a35-4ee0-99ca-b4c90047d11d/transcript

After one false start and a hell of a lot of political pressure from the right, Labor has finally unveiled its long-awaited immigration plans.

Backpackers, students and visa overstayers will all be targeted by the measures – designed to bring net overseas migration down from around 300 thousand, to 225 thousand by 2028.

So what impact will the overhaul have on our economy, our communities, and on Labor’s re-election prospects? 

Today, journalist Peter Mares – who writes extensively on immigration for Inside Story magazine – on what’s in store, and whether the issue Labor’s addressing is a political problem, or a real one.

 

If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.

 

Socials:Stay in touch with us on Instagram

Guest: Inside Story Magazine journalist Peter Mares

Photo: AAP Image/Lukas Coch

After one false start and a hell of a lot of political pressure from the right, Labor has finally unveiled its long-awaited immigration plans.
Backpackers, students and visa overstayers will all be targeted by the measures &ndash; designed to bring net overseas migration down from around 300 thousand, to 225 thousand by 2028.
So what impact will the overhaul have on our economy, our communities, and on Labor&rsquo;s re-election prospects?&nbsp;
Today, journalist Peter Mares &ndash; who writes extensively on immigration for Inside Story magazine &ndash; on what&rsquo;s in store, and whether the issue Labor&rsquo;s addressing is a political problem, or a real one.
&nbsp;
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at <a href="http://7ampodcast.com.au/support">7ampodcast.com.au/support</a>.
&nbsp;
Socials: Stay in touch with us on <a href="http://www.instagram.com/7ampodcast">Instagram</a>
Guest: Inside Story Magazine journalist Peter Mares
Photo:&nbsp;AAP Image/Lukas Coch

Is Labor’s migration plan tackling a real problem or a political one?

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/2fb3740d-3436-44af-8cc0-a91900716aa5/clips/8878357e-dc38-4952-95c6-b4c800608747/transcript

Nick McKenzie on CFMEU corruption and Labor’s blind eye

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