Australia’s first dedicated timber union has taken a major step toward severing all ties with the CFMEU, with the Federal Court of Australia now seeking input ahead of a proposed move to formally register the Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU) as a standalone organisation.
A notice published in The Canberra Times over the weekend reveals that the CFMEU Manufacturing Division has applied under Schedule 3 of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 to withdraw from its amalgamation with the national union. The application — filed as proceeding VID 1464 of 2025 — asks the Court to formally register the TFTU on 24 February 2026.
The legal process follows a decisive vote last year in which more than 91 per cent of Manufacturing Division members backed the split, first reported by Wood Central in April 2025. At the time, Mr O’Connor said members had voted for “a union that is theirs,” describing the breakaway as a structural and cultural shift toward independence, transparency and member control. “This isn’t just a name change. It’s a structural and cultural shift – towards more independence, integrity and member control,” O’Connor said.
Wood Central understands that the TFTU is a union dedicated to timber, furnishing, textiles, pulp and paper and related trades, with a strong focus on regional wood supply and job security. Speaking to Wood Central last year, Alison Rudman, Secretary of the NSW district, said the new union would be “laser focused” on issues affecting timber towns, including wood‑supply constraints. “This is a vote to do what is best for timber towns,” Ms Rudman said. “We remain laser‑focused on the issues that impact our members, like wood supply, recognition of skills, and the protection of timber jobs.”
