Warrants executed in Victoria and Queensland as part of Taskforce Hawk investigation

Detectives from Taskforce Hawk, in conjunction with Queensland Police, have executed six warrants across two states as part of an investigation into corrupting benefits offences.

Warrants were executed in Victoria from 5am with assistance from a range of squads from Crime and Counter Terrorism Investigation Services at two residential properties in Mount Eliza and Pascoe Vale, as well as a commercial premises in Oakleigh South.

Police have seized a number of items from the addresses including electronic devices and paperwork, which will now be forensically assessed.

Supporting the Victoria Police investigation, Queensland Police Service detectives from the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU and Misconduct in the Construction Industry executed warrants at residential addresses in Pimpama and Bahrs Scrub, and the CFMEU offices in Bowen Hills.

Police seized electronic devices and paperwork which will now be forensically assessed.

A 46-year-old Mount Eliza man, a 47-year-old Mount Eliza woman, who is the director of a labour hire company, and a 33-year-old Pascoe Vale man were arrested and interviewed by police.

The two men have now been charged with matters unrelated to today’s investigation and released from custody.

The Mount Eliza man has been charged with make false document as part of a separate Taskforce Hawk investigation and bailed to appear at Frankston Magistrates’ Court on 1 December.

The Pascoe Vale man has been charged with distributing an intimate image and bailed to appear at Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court on 14 January. These charges relate to a Cybercrime Squad investigation into a report of a data breach.

The woman remains in custody and the warrant at the Bowen Hills premises is still ongoing.

Today’s warrants form part of a Taskforce Hawk investigation into allegations of people linked to a Victorian-based labour hire company providing corrupting benefits to current Queensland-based CFMEU officials to influence them in the performance of their duties.

The investigation into the matter commenced in July this year and remains ongoing.

Detectives will prepare a brief of evidence as part of this investigation in relation to the Commonwealth offence of giving, receiving or soliciting a corrupting benefit, pursuant to section 536D (1) and (2) of the Fair Work Act, 2009 for assessment by the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

If convicted, offenders face a penalty of up to 10 years imprisonment.

Operation Hawk was established in July 2024 to specifically target criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry and transitioned to Taskforce Hawk in June 2025.

This was in response to a number of fresh allegations of serious and violent criminal behaviour.

Taskforce Hawk is focused on assessing new intelligence and evidence relating to allegations of criminal behaviour linked to the construction industry.

It also continues to proactively target organised crime associated with the sector, including a focus on any individuals employed within the construction industry who have known links to outlaw motorcycle gangs.

Police are also instigating approaches with relevant industry stakeholders to gather intelligence, as well as working closely with a range of law enforcement partners, regulators and government authorities.

Anyone with information about these matters is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit an online confidential report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au

Quotes attributable to Detective Inspector Ross Mitchell, Taskforce Hawk:

“Our focus since the inception of Taskforce Hawk has always been about eradicating criminality – regardless of what form it takes – from the construction industry.

“Those who are in the industry deserve to work in a fair and safe environment at all times.

“Taskforce detectives will also continue to work closely with other agencies, including our law enforcement partners interstate, to ensure all those involved in this type of offending are fully investigated.

“We encourage anyone that has any information on concerning behaviours witnessed in any construction industry workplace to come forward and speak to police. As always, it can be done anonymously and reports will be treated with the strictest of confidence.”

Media Unit

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