AFP raid on former CFMEU official John Perkovic over corruption allegations
Consensus Summary
Federal police raided the Melbourne home of former CFMEU official John Perkovic as part of a corruption probe into Victoria’s construction industry. Perkovic, who worked for the union for more than a decade and was promoted to deputy leader in 2024, was dismissed in October 2025 after allegations of corruption surfaced. Investigators allege he benefited from at least $1 million in corrupt property transactions, including a Keilor home built by a company linked to him, and owned luxury vehicles worth more than $100,000 allegedly provided by construction firms. The raid follows charges laid against two former CFMEU delegates in July 2024 and builds on reports from The Age’s Building Bad series, which exposed wrongdoing in the union. While no charges have been filed against Perkovic, the investigation highlights systemic corruption, with Perkovic accused of using his influence to favor companies that provided him with undeclared benefits.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- John Perkovic was a CFMEU organiser for more than a decade in the Victorian branch
- Perkovic was promoted to second in charge in 2024 after the union was placed under administration
- Perkovic was dismissed in October 2025 after corruption allegations were exposed
- Perkovic allegedly netted at least $1 million from corrupt property transactions involving his Keilor home
- Perkovic’s Keilor property was built by a business allegedly benefiting from him
- Perkovic owned a vintage Ford Falcon GT worth more than $100,000, allegedly paid for by construction companies
- Victoria Police’s Taskforce Hawk charged two former CFMEU delegates (Tyrone Bell and Joel Brown) with alleged financial crimes in July 2024
- Perkovic’s sacking from the union was linked to allegations reported in The Age’s Building Bad series last year
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The AFP raid was part of Operation Rye, investigating criminal conduct in Victoria's construction industry
- The Keilor property’s backyard land was purchased in 2020 by a contractor allegedly benefiting from Perkovic
- The land was transferred to Perkovic’s daughter in 2024 free of charge
- Perkovic’s home insurance was allegedly paid for by a labour hire firm
- Perkovic was high up in the CFMEU’s informal power structure below John Setka
- A sniffer dog was used during the raid at Perkovic’s home
- Perkovic was the leader of the so-called Croatian faction within the CFMEU
- Perkovic was seen dining with John Setka and an allegedly corrupt construction industry boss last month
- Perkovic claimed the cars he received were merely loans and he intended to repay them
- The raid follows a federal police investigation sparked by The Age’s Building Bad series
- No charges have been laid against Perkovic as of the raid
- The raid is part of a broader investigation into multimillion-dollar bribes
- The fortnight has seen no updates from the royal commission about key personnel or hearing dates
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- ABC states Perkovic was dismissed in October 2025, while The Age does not specify a date for his dismissal but links it to last year’s Building Bad series
- ABC mentions Perkovic was promoted to second in charge after the union was placed under administration in 2024, while The Age refers to this promotion as occurring only weeks before his sacking, without specifying the exact timing
- The Age notes Perkovic’s sacking was a major blow to the Labor-backed CFMEU administration, while ABC does not explicitly mention Labor’s involvement in the union’s administration
Source Articles
AFP raid Melbourne home of former CFMEU official
Federal police officers have raided the home of a former senior official of the militant construction union as part of their probe into corruption in the building industry.
Former CFMEU boss raided in alleged multimillion-dollar bribe probe
The Keilor property was searched by federal police as they investigate the sacked former top official.
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