A Federal Government taskforce set up to look at dodgy union links in Victoria has been labelled a “stunt”.

Opponents say the timing is very suspect, with probe to continue right up the state’s election on November 29.

But the premier and prime minister say now is the time to stamp out widespread corruption and thuggery on Victorian worksites, and a joint police task force will be the way to do it.

“There is very credible evidence of contamination of the union movement, particularly the CFMEU, by organised crime and I think everyone should want us to get to the bottom of this and to put the people responsible for it behind bars,” the Prime Minister said over the weekend.

Labor members say the taskforce is their idea, having pitched a similar plan to no avail back in February.

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said “imitation is the best form of flattery” in response to the announcement.

“I suspect ... the timing of it is more to do with Victorian electoral politics, based on the chaos he has created for the Napthine government,” Mr Shorten said.

The ACTU and CFMEU have both slammed the announcement as a political stunt.

About 30 police officers, mostly from the AFP, will make up the taskforce. It will be funded by the Commonwealth out of the royal commission into trade unions budget.

Similar joint units are likely to be set up in other states.

UPDATE 05/11 - The Victorian Corruption probe has now been duplicated in NSW, where the Police Department says it has received a request from Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption commissioner Dyson Heydon "to assist with a law-enforcement taskforce".

"This request will be given urgent and proper consideration," a police spokesperson said.