英語学習

英語ニュース教材：Violence and a secret scheme: What we’ve learnt from the CFMEU probe（Intermediate レベル）

 

Contents

🎧 Audio

📖 Script

The Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) in Queensland has been under investigation for its internal issues. An inquiry has revealed that violence has been a significant problem within the union, described as a “cancer” affecting its operations. This investigation is part of a broader effort to understand and address misconduct within powerful organizations. The inquiry’s public hearings started recently, and several key points have emerged in just the first week.

One of the major revelations is the extent of violence and intimidation used within the union. Such behavior has reportedly been employed to maintain control and silence dissent among members. This has not only affected the morale of the members but also impacted the union’s reputation and effectiveness in advocating for workers’ rights. The inquiry aims to uncover the truth and propose measures to prevent such issues in the future.

Additionally, a secret scheme was uncovered during the hearings, suggesting that some individuals within the union may have been involved in unethical practices for personal gain. This revelation has raised concerns about the integrity of the union’s leadership and its commitment to its members’ welfare. The inquiry is expected to delve deeper into these allegations to ensure transparency and accountability.

The hearings have highlighted the need for stronger regulations and oversight to prevent similar issues in the future. As the inquiry continues, more information is expected to come to light, potentially leading to significant changes within the CFMEU. These developments are crucial not only for the union but also for the broader labor movement in Australia, as they underscore the importance of ethical leadership and the protection of workers’ rights.

📝 Vocabulary

  • inquiry: an official investigation（調査）
    例文: “The government launched an inquiry into the company’s practices.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • conduct an inquiry
    • launch an inquiry
    • inquiry into
  • violence: physical force used to harm people or damage property（暴力）
    例文: “The rise in violence in the area has worried the residents.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • rise in violence
    • violence against
    • use of violence
  • intimidation: the act of frightening someone into doing what you want（脅迫）
    例文: “The witness was under intimidation to change her testimony.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • under intimidation
    • fear of intimidation
    • act of intimidation
  • revelation: a surprising and previously unknown fact（暴露）
    例文: “The revelation about the politician’s past shocked the public.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • shocking revelation
    • revelation about
    • new revelation
  • integrity: the quality of being honest and having strong moral principles（誠実）
    例文: “His integrity was never questioned during his career.”
    Collocations／日本語の意味を見る
    • question integrity
    • personal integrity
    • integrity of

✏️ Grammar Point

Relative Clauses – “An inquiry has revealed that violence has been a significant problem within the union, described as a “cancer” affecting its operations.”

文法の日本語補足を見る
関係詞を使って、追加情報を提供しています。

💡 使用場面

関係詞は、情報を追加で提供し、文をより詳細にする際に使われます。ビジネスや会話で、特定の話題を詳しく説明する時に便利です。

📝 使用例文

“例: In a business meeting, you might say: ‘If we cut costs now, we can increase our profit margin next quarter.’”

❓ Listening Questions

  1. True/False: The inquiry found that violence was a minor issue in the CFMEU.
  2. MCQ: What was a significant problem revealed in the CFMEU inquiry?
    a) Lack of funding
    b) Violence and intimidation
    c) Poor leadership
    d) Low membership
  3. MCQ: What did the secret scheme uncovered in the hearings suggest?
    a) Members were not paid
    b) Leaders engaged in unethical practices
    c) Union helped the community
    d) All members were involved
🔑 Listening Answersを見る
  1. False
  2. b) Violence and intimidation
  3. b) Leaders engaged in unethical practices

📚 Reading Questions

  1. What major problem was identified in the CFMEU inquiry?
  2. Why is the inquiry important for the broader labor movement in Australia?
  3. What does the word “integrity” mean in the context of the script?
🔑 Reading Answersを見る
  1. Violence was identified as a major problem.
  2. It highlights the importance of ethical leadership and protecting workers’ rights.
  3. The quality of being honest and having strong moral principles.

🇯🇵 日本語での経済ニュース解説

CFMEU（建設・林業・海事・鉱業・エネルギー組合）のクイーンズランド支部では、内部問題が調査されています。調査によると、暴力が組合の活動に影響を及ぼす「癌」として問題視されています。これにより組合の評判や労働者の権利擁護の効果が損なわれており、更なる透明性と説明責任が求められています。この調査結果は、オーストラリア国内の労働運動全体にとって重要で、将来的な組合改革につながる可能性があります。

Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-11-23/qld-cfmeu-commission-of-inquiry-five-key-moments/106035616

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