The construction watchdog has written to a parliamentary committee to "clarify" the time at which senior managers became aware the agency had incorrect advice on its website, an issue that led to the resignation of former ABCC chief, Nigel Hadgkiss.
The High Court has today accepted that courts can make orders to stop union officials seeking or accepting payments from their unions towards penalties imposed for unlawful conduct.
A full Federal Court has found that a CFMEU official breached the Fair Work Act's "hinder or obstruct" prohibition for permit-holders when he "liberally" swore at a safety inspector, but rejected the ABCC's argument that it was denied procedural fairness when the trial judge described former Commissioner Nigel Hadgkiss's questioning of a witness as "inexcusable".
The CFMEU has threatened legal action against a building company if it acts on the construction watchdog's warning not to display the Eureka flag, with the union alleging it breaches freedom of association.
The Federal Court has accepted that the ABCC made a "genuine mistake" when it pursued CFMEU national secretary Michael O'Connor for his alleged involvement in a blockade at Sydney's Barangaroo project.
A full Federal Court has rejected an appeal by a CFMEU construction and general division official against answering questions in court from his own counsel on the grounds that he might incriminate himself.
If proven ability to interpret and enforce rules and skin thick enough to withstand regular abuse are among the prerequisites required to lead the construction industry watchdog, then new Workplaces Minister Craig Laundy would appear to have chosen well.
The ABCC has reviewed its legal expenditure after an "overspend" in the past financial year that included a blowout to almost $11 million in billings for external advice, representing about a third of its $34 million budget.