Australian Federal Police have raided the Melbourne home of former CFMEU official John Perkovic as part of an investigation into allegations that he accepted up to A$3 million (£1.5 million) in bribes from construction company bosses.
The search was carried out early on Wednesday, September 2, at the property in Hislop Street, Keilor, which neighbours said had been searched by at least six officers and a sniffer dog.
Police examined the backyard and searched beneath a black Range Rover parked in the driveway. Mr Perkovic later left the house. No charges have been laid.
The operation, known as Operation Rye, is examining alleged criminal conduct in Victoria’s construction industry. The investigation follows claims that Mr Perkovic used his influence within the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union to promote companies whose owners allegedly provided him with undeclared benefits.
Those alleged benefits included land linked to the Keilor property, luxury vehicles and loans. Mr Perkovic has previously said vehicles made available to him were loans and that he intended to repay the company bosses involved.
The allegations were first reported last year, prompting the CFMEU to dismiss Mr Perkovic in October 2025 and leading to a federal police investigation.
He had been a senior organiser in the union’s Victorian branch for more than a decade and was promoted to become its deputy leader shortly before his dismissal. His advancement came after the union was placed under federal administration in 2024 amid allegations of widespread wrongdoing.
Mr Perkovic was closely associated with former CFMEU chief John Setka and was regarded as the leader of a powerful Croatian faction within the union. His former influence has ensured the raid will attract renewed scrutiny across the construction sector.
The development comes after Victoria Police’s Taskforce Hawk charged two former CFMEU delegates, Tyrone Bell and Joel Brown, over alleged financial offences connected with a business Bell established after leaving the union in 2024. Both men were formerly senior members of the Mongols outlaw motorcycle gang.
The raid is also expected to increase pressure on Victoria’s planned royal commission into corruption in the construction industry. The inquiry is to be led by former South Australian Supreme Court chief justice Christopher Kourakis and will examine the conduct of the CFMEU, construction companies and labour-hire firms, as well as the oversight of major public infrastructure projects.
