John Sutton
I commenced working for the Building Workers Industrial Union (BWIU) as an organizer in 1980. After 11 years in the NSW Branch I was elected as the National Assistant Secretary of the BWIU. In 1993 I was the first National Secretary of the Construction Division of the newly formed Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU). After 13 years in this role I became the National Secretary of the entire union. From 2007 -2010 I was a Vice President of the ACTU. From 2002 -2010 I was the International President of a world wide Building Workers Federation. After leaving the union at the end of 2010 I worked as an Associate Commissioner at the Productivity Commission, taught Industrial Relations/Law at UNSW, worked on government boards and been a Director of the Industry Superannuation Property Trust (ISPT). I am now retired.
Recent articles by John Sutton

11 September 2024
Why I support state intervention in the CFMEU
The Haydon Royal Commission in 2014 revealed evidence that corrupt elements were infiltrating the CFMEU, NSW Branch. This grew steadily in the 10 years since and the branch is now rotten. In Victoria, the strongman leadership of John Setka and his close friendship with a colourful identity and building industry fixer, together with an influx of bikies, sent signals about where the branch was heading.