Greenfield started his first-grade career with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, for whom he played one NRL match in 2004. He then moved to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, playing in 24 NRL matches over four seasons. He signed for the St George Illawarra Dragons from the 2010 season, and later extended his contract through the 2011 season.[4]
He made his Melbourne Storm debut in round 12 of the 2012 NRL season against the Broncos. During his time at Melbourne, he suffered an injury from a shoulder charge which was bad enough to prevent him from continuing to play.[6]
CFMEU Career
Following his retirement from rugby, Greenfield became a prominent figure within the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU) NSW branch, holding the position of assistant secretary. His involvement in the union has been marked by significant events and controversies.[7]
As the assistant secretary of the CFMEU NSW, Greenfield played a key role in the union’s operations. His responsibilities included negotiating on behalf of the union members, advocating for workers’ rights, and participating in high-stakes discussions with construction companies and other industry stakeholders despite not having a previous career in the construction industry.
Legal issues
Greenfield pleaded guilty to drug possession charges in 2019.[8] He was arrested earlier that year along with two union organisers Nicholas Rekes and Simon Gutierrez during a police operation targeting drug distribution in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.[9] He was accused of possessing cocaine, which he bought from his own officials.[10]
In 2021, Greenfield and his father, Darren Greenfield, who at that time served as the CFMEU NSW secretary, were arrested and charged with bribery.[11] The charges stemmed from an investigation by the trade union taskforce involving the Australian Federal Police and NSW Police. The Greenfields were accused of soliciting and accepting $5,000 kickbacks from the owner of Lin Betty Building Group, a Chinese construction company, in return for preferential treatment on building sites.
Darren Greenfield was charged with four counts of receiving a corrupting benefit,[12] while Michael Greenfield faced charges of making a false declaration and two counts of receiving a corrupting benefit. The alleged bribery took place between 2018 and 2020. The Greenfields were granted bail with strict conditions, including surrendering their passports, curfews, and daily reporting to their local police stations.
In September 2021, the Australian Labor Party (ALP) suspended Michael and Darren Greenfield from the NSW CFMEU following these bribery allegations. This action was enforced by Chris Minns, the leader of the NSW Labor Party, to distance the party from the controversy and uphold its integrity.[13] On July 15, 2024, Premier Chris Minns has declared that Darren Greenfield should be removed as the union’s boss while facing charges before the courts. Despite being suspended from the ALP, Darren Greenfield remains the state boss of the CFMEU. Acting Opposition Leader Damien Tudehope has urged Premier Minns to sever ties with the CFMEU. Premier Minns has stated that Labor will not take donations from the CFMEU other than affiliation fees and mentioned that further action would be taken if new information arises about the CFMEU’s NSW branch.[14]
Greenfield resigned from his position on 12 August 2024 amid the allegations of bribery and corruption that were followed by media scrutiny.[15]
December 2024 it was announced that the investigator for the CFMEU administration, Geoffrey Watson, SC, is looking into $30,000 a month in so far unaccounted payments that the NSW branch transferred directly to the accounts of former secretary and assistant secretary Darren and Michael Greenfield from 2021 to 2023. he payments were discovered as part of a broader investigation into union board resolutions to pay the Greenfields’ “reasonable legal expenses” in defending criminal charges over alleged corruption.
The monies sent directly to the Greenfields totalled about $900,000 and were on top of the $559,000 the branch paid to the Greenfields’ lawyers in 2022-23 and a further $3.15 million paid to their lawyers in July this year. Administrator Mark Irving, SC clawed back the latter payment after he took over the union in August.
In a letter sent to former members of the CFMEU branch committee of management (BCOM) this month, seen by The Australian Financial Review, Mr Watson said he was investigating the circumstances behind the $3.15 million payment, who approved it, and its purpose.[16]
