Jun 11, 2026 – 2.06pmA lawyer for former union stalwart and First Super co-chairman Michael O’Connor argues there were natural synergies between work for the CFMEU and the fund by one of his direct reports, as they fight claims he used his role to enrich the union at the expense of 80,000 fund members.The worker, known to the court as BT, was employed as a contractor funded wholly by First Super between 2020 and 2021. But the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority alleges BT – previously a Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union official – continued to do mostly union-related work with the full knowledge of O’Connor, who at the time was the CFMEU’s national secretary.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
First Super chair’s defence hinges on ‘synergies’ in fund, CFMEU work
APRA wants Michael O’Connor banned from other superannuation fund boards, alleging he put the interests of the CFMEU ahead of First Super’s 80,000 members.
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