Skip to content
Government ACT, Union

‘Serious concerns’: CFMEU issues warning on ACT government appointment

CFMEU ACT < 1 mins read

The CFMEU has expressed serious concerns over the appointment of someone closely linked to the Robodebt scandal to a critical ACT public service role.

Lisa Carmody has been appointed deputy director of the Chief Minister, Treasury and Economic Development Directorate (CMTEDD).

CFMEU ACT has backed the Community and Public Sector Union (CPSU), which first raised Ms Carmody’s involvement in the Robodebt scandal. She was called before the Royal Commission.

CFMEU ACT Secretary Zach Smith said his union stood with their comrades at the CPSU and their members.

“People died because of Robodebt, which hounded some of the most vulnerable members of society over illegal and immoral debts,” he said.

“It doesn’t make any sense that someone with a significant involvement in one of the biggest welfare scandals in Australian history will now hold a crucial industrial relations job.

“The ACT’s chief public servant Kathy Leigh has made the wrong call here and should reconsider her decision.

“The CFMEU has serious concerns about what this could mean for workers in the ACT when it comes to negotiating fairer pay and conditions.

“The ACT public service shouldn’t be a safe harbour for people who have ruined their job prospects with the Commonwealth.”


Contact details:

Matt Coughlan 0400 561 480 / [email protected]

More from this category

  • Industrial Relations, Union
  • 17/12/2025
  • 10:47
Mining and Energy Union

MEU welcomes court decision confirming full rights of workplace delegates

The Mining and Energy Union has welcomed today’s Federal Court decision confirming that the Closing Loopholes laws give workplace delegates the right to represent workers on site regardless of labour hire or employment arrangements, delivering a significant win for workers and their unions across Australia.The decision follows a legal challenge brought by the MEU, with the support of the ACTU and its affiliates, after the Fair Work Commission inserted a delegates’ rights clause into modern awards that significantly limited the scope of the rights Parliament intended to provide. Under the Closing Loopholes legislation, workplace delegates were granted new statutory rights…

  • Education Training, Union
  • 15/12/2025
  • 10:43
Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch

IEU statement on Bondi Beach terror attack

Monday 15 December 2025 The Independent Education Union of Australia NSW/ACT Branch condemns the horrific terror attack atBondi Beach and the devastating loss of so many lives. The IEU joins with the Australian union movement in condemning antisemitism and all acts of violence and hatred that take lives, harm people, and make people feel threatened and unsafe. “Our hearts go out to our members, to teachers, support staff, students, and the broader Jewish community impacted by this shocking antisemitic attack,” said IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Secretary Carol Matthews. “We offer our condolences to all those directly impacted and their loved ones.…

  • Contains:
  • Industrial Relations, Union
  • 12/12/2025
  • 13:15
Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU)

Qube Forestry Workers Move Toward Possible Industrial Action Across Three Key Tasmanian Export Facilities

MEDIA RELEASE 12 December 2025 Qube Forestry in Tasmania is now facing the prospect of industrial action at three of its major export log facilities — Burnie, Bell Bay and Hobart — as members of the Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU) move to progress a protected action ballot. Tasmanian District Secretary Danny Murphy said the union has been bargaining in good faith for months, but Qube has failed to put forward an acceptable offer for workers. “We have been bargaining in good faith with Qube for months and we are still far from finalising a fair deal for our…

Media Outreach made fast, easy, simple.

Feature your press release on Medianet's News Hub every time you distribute with Medianet. Pay per release or save with a subscription.