High-ranking CFMEU official Stu-e Corkran revealed as Rebels bikie

A series of pictures obtained by the Herald Sun show Stu-e Corkran in full bikie colours.

And one of the images shows Mr Corkran has shaved a 1 per cent symbol into the back of his hair, which bikies use to indicate club membership.

Mr Corkran has been a significant figure in the CFMEU for more than a decade.

 

 

He came to prominence in 2011 when he won the union’s Biggest Loser competition, dropping 20.8kg to take out the title aimed at improving workers’ health.

An image of him accepting a $5000 cheque from CFMEU secretary John Setka was still up on the union’s website yesterday.

He was also charged in relation to his involvement in the West Gate Bridge demarcation dispute between the CFMEU and the AWU.

The charges were later dropped in a plea deal.

That dispute during the strengthening of the West Gate Bridge was one of the ugliest incidents in recent industrial relations history, with workers chasing each other in cars, among other intimidatory behaviour.

Then police chief commissioner Simon Overland said at the time that he was concerned that bikies were involved in some of the industrial protests at the site.

Mr Corkran also developed a new boot for the building industry after he stepped on a rusty nail.

Significantly, the new boot built by Preston company Highmark cost twice as much as traditional boots, as reported in an advertising feature in The Australian in 2004.

In the article Mr Corkran admitted that he had no experience making boots.

But he said had come up with the design himself. The Herald Sun sent a list of questions to the CFMEU about Corkran’s bikie links early yesterday, along with details of allegations about another official linked to the Rebels.

The union released a statement at 4.17pm denying that Mr Corkran or the other official were bikies.

“Mr Corkran and (the other official) are not members of any motorcycle club,” the statement said.

“Neither have a criminal record,” it added.

“Mr Corkran has never been to Darwin.

“He has not visited Tasmania on any motorcycle club related activity.”

Images obtained by the Herald Sun show Mr Corkran wearing a Tasmanian and a Darwin version of the Rebels’ colours.

The newspaper sent copies of the images to the union at 5.37pm yesterday.

It responded with a statement saying that the union was told Mr Corkran was not a bikie member.

“We understood he was not a member,” the union statement said.

“We are not sure if the photographs establish him as a member.

“If he is a member we stand corrected.

“We don’t inquire into members’ affiliations with other organisations — recreational, political, religious or other.”

The union corruption royal commission was expected to hear claims of significant union involvement in the construction industry next week.

A building industry source said the unions had too much power, for too long.

“The industry needs to be cleaned up, it’s unsustainable,” the source said.

stephen.drill@news.com.au