SA Liberals announce plan to curb union influence
The SA Liberals would look to curb the influence of unions on building sites if elected, while Premier Peter Malinaskas today announced a “landmark” opera is coming to town.
If elected at the March state election, the SA Liberals would establish a Construction Industry Commission to “protect South Australia’s construction industry from external union influence”.
The commission would target the CFMEU, which was placed into administration in 2024 after allegations that the union engaged in bullying, corruption and criminal infiltration.
Among its functions, the commission would act as an independent watchdog for unlawful, coercive or intimidating conduct in the construction industry.
It comes as CFMEU SA branch secretary Travis Hera-Singh posted a video encouraging Torrens to Darlington workers to join the union, saying it was “outrageous” that some workers were not covered by an enterprise agreement for the project.
“Decisions about South Australia’s building industry should be made here in South Australia – not dictated by militant unions based interstate,” SA Liberal leader Ashton Hurn said.
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“A Construction Industry Commission will bring integrity, transparency and accountability to South Australia’s building sector at a time where there are huge projects on the go.”
Former SA Liberal leader David Speirs unsuccessfully introduced the Construction Industry Commissioner Bill to the House of Assembly in 2022.
Shadow Treasurer Ben Hood said there have been reports of the CFMEU “getting a stranglehold” on major projects like the new Women’s and Children’s Hospital and the Adelaide Central Market redevelopment.
“No matter what happens next month, we will continue to fight for this Commission because South Australia can’t afford the instability and cost blowouts that have plagued projects across the border,” Hood said.
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Yesterday, the SA Liberals also announced that if elected, they would offer a $10,000 bonus to South Australians older than 21 who join the construction industry as an apprentice.
Major opera coming to town
Meanwhile, Premier Peter Malinauskas today announced that the 2027 Adelaide Festival would feature a “landmark presentation” of 20th-century Hungarian composer Béla Bartók’s Bluebeard’s Castle.
The one-act “Symbolist” opera tells the story of a legendary wife murderer, with the score influenced by traditional Hungarian folk songs.
Bluebeard’s Castle will be directed by world-renowned theatre director Romeo Castellucci and will be performed at the Festival Theatre on the same weekend as the much-publicised Italian opera AIDA.
AIDA was originally meant to be performed at Adelaide Oval on February 5 and 6. However, it was delayed by a year, with organisers blaming maritime export complications.
According to Premier Malinauskas, it would be the first time a large-scale, professional production of Bluebeard’s Castle is performed in Australia.
“It’s extraordinary that Adelaide will host both AIDA and Bluebeard’s Castle at the same time; a unique double feature that truly showcases our city as Australia’s festival capital,” Premier Malinauskas said.
The 2026 Adelaide Festival starts tonight with a free performance by 1990s Britpop band Pulp.
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