Labor politicians have been accused of boycotting an awards night focused on mental health because of a feud between the construction industry and union peak bodies.
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No Labor MLAs attended the Master Builders Association ACT's dinner on Thursday, despite an invitation being extended to all ACT Legislative Assembly politicians.
The night aimed to "shine the light" on mental health in the construction industry, Master Builders Association ACT chief executive Michael Hopkins said.
Retired senior detective constable and Cross of Valour recipient Allan Sparkes was listed as the keynote speaker.
Canberra Liberals' industrial affairs spokesman Andrew Wall sought to link Labor's non-attendance to a letter sent in July by Unions ACT head Alex White.
The letter called on all Labor politicians to inform them within the month if they planned to attend events connected with the construction peak body.
"The MBA has repeatedly described unions' concerns regarding safety as 'illegitimate', 'crying wolf', 'malicious', 'bogus', 'a myth', a 'raised-fisted approach' amongst other things," it said.
"Since 2013 the MBA has refused to accept the recommendations of the Getting Home Safely report; the organisation was asked to reconsider this position in late 2016 and declined to do so. In June 2016 the MBA described the memorandum of understanding between the ACT government and Unions ACT as 'corrupt'.
"Further, Unions ACT believes that in its current form, the MBA ACT cannot be considered a bona fide business representative organisation. Rather, it conducts itself as the industrial wing of the Liberal party."
Mr Wall asked Chief Minister Andrew Barr if the no-show was because of "Unions ACT's influence".
"I don't believe so, no," Mr Barr said.
Mr Wall said Mr Barr seemed "uncertain" and asked if MLAs had to seek the approval of Unions ACT before they met with the MBA or attended any of their events. Mr Barr said no.
Liberal leader Alistair Coe asked: "Why do we have a situation where Labor ministers or MLAs will not meet with the greyhound racing industry, Clubs ACT and now the MBA?"
Mr Barr denied that was the case.
Mr White did not answer questions about the awards night on Tuesday, but said in an email Unions ACT's concerns about the "reckless actions and positions of the MBA on workplace safety are well known".
Members of both the Liberal and Greens parties attended the awards evening.
Greens minister Shane Rattenbury even presented an award for the Kids Assist program.
