The prime minister and employment minister will be exposed to a political penalty if there is any hint they are being too soft on corrupt union officials.
That is because Peter Dutton has such a powerful line of attack when he makes union conduct about the cost of living.
The opposition leader says households suffer the consequences,either as consumers or taxpayers,when the CFMEU pushes up the cost of mammoth state projects and private buildings. This is a fair point. Nobody can be precise about the financial damage,but the economic impact is real.
Will Labor look after households or protect its friends in the union movement? One way to tell will be whether it forces tainted officials out the door.
Peter Dutton has a powerful line of attack when he makes union conduct about the cost of living.
It will be toxic to Labor if there is any suggestion it is going easy on union allies when the CFMEU is making things worse for households already dealing with high rents,housing shortages and rising prices at the supermarket.
Dutton is on weaker ground,however,when he cites Bob Hawke as a Labor hero who took down a corrupt building union and then challenges Albanese to do the same by deregistering the CFMEU.