Detectives from Taskforce Hawk executed a warrant at a residential property in Mt Eliza this morning (9 September), and arrested a 46-year-old Mt Eliza man and a 47-year-old Mt Eliza woman. They also seized a number of items including electronic devices and paperwork, which will now be forensically assessed.
The Mt 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 Mount Eliza woman, who is the director of a labour hire company, was interviewed by police and remains in custody.
Today’s warrant forms 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.
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.
“Our focus since the inception of Taskforce Hawk has always been about eradicating criminality – regardless of what form it takes – from the construction industry,” said Detective Inspector Ross Mitchell from Taskforce Hawk.
“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.”
