Federal Police Raid Home of Former CFMEU Official in Melbourne Corruption Probe

In short:

The Melbourne home of a former construction union official was raided this morning by federal police officers.

John Perkovic was a CFMEU organiser for more than a decade in the union's Victorian branch before being dismissed in October 2025 over allegations of corruption.

Mr Perkovic's house is at the centre of the alleged wrongdoing, which was detailed in a report by anti-corruption barrister Geoffrey Watson submitted to the Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU.

Australian 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 Victoria's building industry.

At least half a dozen officers and a sniffer dog arrived at former CFMEU official John Perkovic's Keilor home in Melbourne's northern suburbs early this morning.

Police could be seen searching items in the house's backyard and under a black Range Rover SUV parked in the driveway.

The search warrants were executed as part of Operation Rye, an AFP operation investigating allegations against the CFMEU.

Mr Perkovic left the house a short time later.

Mr Perkovic was a CFMEU organiser for more than a decade in the union's Victorian branch when it was led by John Setka.

He was promoted to second in charge after the union was placed under administration in 2024, amid accusations of widespread wrongdoing.

However, he was dismissed in October 2025 after allegations of corruption against him were exposed in the media.

Mr Perkovic's Keilor property is at the centre of the alleged wrongdoing, which has since been detailed in a report by anti-corruption barrister Geoffrey Watson submitted to Queensland's Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU.

Home and vintage cars highlighted by CFMEU inquiry

Mr Watson alleged Mr Perkovic netted at least $1 million from corrupt property transactions involving the block of land when he worked for the CFMEU.

His house was built by a business that was getting benefits from Mr Perkovic, Mr Watson alleged, while Mr Perkovic was unable to say how much the building cost, or how the works were financed.

The block at the back of the home was purchased by another contractor in 2020 who was allegedly benefiting from Mr Perkovic.

The land was transferred to Mr Perkovic's daughter in 2024, free of charge, according to the Watson report.

Mr Watson alleged Mr Perkovic benefited from other companies as well — getting his home insurance paid for by a labour hire firm, and also owning three cars that had been paid for by construction companies.

One was a vintage Ford Falcon GT worth more than $100,000.

Mr Watson said Mr Perkovic was high up in the informal power structure of the CFMEU, holding a position of influence just below that of Mr Setka.