One of Australia’s most influential unions has ignited controversy by awarding life membership to Craig Johnston, a former official previously jailed and expelled for leading a violent attack on a company office. Johnston, the former Victorian Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU), was honored at the union’s state conference in May, despite being ousted from the group in 2004.
Johnston became notorious in 2001 when he led a group of 30 masked men in a violent ‘run-through’ at the offices of Skilled Engineering in Box Hill, Melbourne. The group caused extensive damage, smashing windows, overturning filing cabinets, and spraying fire suppressant throughout the premises. Among the terrorized staff was a pregnant woman who was threatened during the chaos.
Skilled Engineering, a labor hire firm, was targeted by Johnston following a dispute over redundancies and the use of non-unionized labor. In 2004, Johnston was convicted of riot, affray, criminal damage, and aggravated burglary, resulting in a nine-month prison sentence, a $10,000 fine, and an order to pay $44,000 in compensation.
Union’s Controversial Decision
The decision to honor Johnston with life membership has drawn criticism from various quarters. At the time of his expulsion, then-AMWU National Secretary Doug Cameron, who later served as a Labor senator, publicly declared Johnston unwelcome in the union. “We expelled him for some serious misconduct,” Cameron stated in a 2005 interview with ABC Radio. “He will not be coming back as an AMWU member.”
Despite this, Johnston was seen celebrating with prominent union figures at the recent AMWU conference. Some attendees were supporters of John Setka, the embattled Victorian CFMEU Secretary who resigned amid allegations of corruption and links to organized crime.
The award recognized Johnston’s “life spent advancing the lives of working men, women, and their families” and included the quote, “Dare to struggle, dare to win,” a phrase associated with Mao Zedong.
Political and Public Reactions
The decision to reinstate Johnston has faced backlash from political figures. Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin expressed concern, stating, “It’s concerning that someone previously jailed for violent workplace invasions is being celebrated. This sends a dangerous message: intimidation and violence can be rewarded.”
Photos from the event show Johnston posing with CFMEU National Secretary Zach Smith, and a man wearing a “Free Johnston” t-shirt, a slogan used by union activists during Johnston’s imprisonment. Johnston was also seen with Christy Cain, the retired National Secretary of the CFMEU, and Troy Gray, Victorian Secretary of the Electrical Trades Union.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigations
Meanwhile, the CFMEU continues to face scrutiny across Australia. The Queensland Government has launched a commission of inquiry into the state’s CFMEU branch following a damning report by barrister Geoffrey Watson. The report highlighted a culture of entrenched misconduct, including allegations of violence and harassment against women.
Watson described the violence against women as “possibly the single worst aspect” of the misconduct within the CFMEU.
The inquiry aims to investigate what the government describes as a deeply embedded culture of bullying, intimidation, misogyny, and corruption within the powerful construction union.
Daily Mail Australia has reached out to the Victorian AMWU, the Australian Council of Trade Unions, and Victorian Treasurer and Industrial Relations Minister Jaclyn Symes for comment on the matter. The unfolding situation continues to stir debate about the ethics and governance within Australia’s union movements.
