POLICE have been called in to protect government officials investigating corruption and breaches of workplace laws at Barangaroo after an alleged ­assault by a union official on a Fair Work Building and Construction officer last week.

The Daily Telegraph has obtained a security incident ­report from the Lend Lease site that claims a male officer was shoulder charged by a union official last Monday after being called a “f...ing dog”.

A female FWBC officer was also verbally assaulted by union officials protesting against their presence. She was called a “f...ing slut” in front of workers. Despite police being called in by Lend Lease to ­ensure the safety of investigators, no arrests were made.



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The assault has been formally referred to NSW police for investigation.

The report covering incidents over the past two weeks cited ongoing intimidation and verbal abuse by several CFMEU officials of FWBC ­officers, whose job is to investigate breaches of workplace rules on work sites.

With claims of organised crime and bikie standover ­tactics having infiltrated the Barrangaroo site, evidence ­obtained by FWBC officials is believed to have become vital to the Royal Commission into union corruption.

In one incident last week — alleged in the incident report marked “for official use only” — a “man wearing a navy blue jumper and white horizontal stripes dropped his shoulder into the back of (name of FWBC officer suppressed). He then walked away with a worker looking pleased with him

self.” A CFMEU official identified in the report also allegedly yelled out to a female investigator “f...ing slut” as she entered the work site through the main gate.

The intimidation and assaults claimed in the report began on July 24 and lasted for the four days the FWBC were present. The report also cited union officials spitting at the investigators and calling them “f...ing dogs” over a loudspeaker. It is also claimed the CFMEU officials intimidated workers.

Another CFMEU official identified in the report shouted to 20-30 workers: “Did you bring your knee pads with you? You’re going to be s...ing off those f...ing dogs all day.”

The officials also allegedly let off sirens in the ears of investigators and used loudspeakers to call out the mobile phone numbers of at least one investigator.

FWBC chief Nigel Hadgkiss confirmed that the alleged assault against one of his officials had been reported to police and repeated his concerns about organised crime elements at Barangaroo.

“I can confirm that we have reported this matter to NSW police,” he said.

“It is appalling behaviour. I regret to say it, but this kind of behaviour has been increasing of late … not just on that site … generally around Australia…

“No one should be treated in this fashion … more appalling is how the female investigator was addressed.

“What is of concern to me … is the deterioration of behaviour since 2008. I also have serious concerns about organised crime.”

CFMEU national construction secretary Dave Noonan said the union was unaware of the reported incident and raised doubts about the claims.

“FWBC has a history of making false allegations about union officials,” he told The Daily Telegraph. “People should be very wary about believing anything they say.”

The Barrangaroo site has been plagued by allegations of union intimidation and criminal links to underworld figures including Mick Gatto, with claims that kickbacks were being traded for labour hire contracts linked to bikie gangs.

The CFMEU’s national executive had launched its own investigation after concerns that controversial Sydney identity George Alex had an arrangement with several senior union officials at Barrangaroo.

The FWBC replaced the Australian Building and Construction Commission, which was scrapped by the Labor government. But the FWBC’s watered-down powers are regarded as too weak.