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ABC News
5 days ago
- ABC News
CFMEU violence cost Queensland government $22 million on one job site, premier says
The "thuggery" of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) cost taxpayers an additional $22 million on one project alone, the Queensland government says. Premier David Crisafulli made the claim a day after announcing the Queensland government would launch a commission of inquiry into allegations of a culture of violence within the state branch of the union. Mr Crisafulli said the union's disruptive tactics had included blocking deliveries and threatening workers. As a result, additional fencing, lighting and CCTV had to be installed at the site and security was ramped up, which had cost $22 million since February last year. One incident at the site was referenced in a damning report into the union released last week. Barrister Geoffrey Watson detailed an occasion where more than ten CFMEU members surrounded a car being driven by two AWU organisers when they were leaving the site in February last year. As captured on a dash cam, a group of workers began rocking the car and shouting at those inside. Mr Watson said the identity of "most" of those involved was still unknown. Mr Crisafulli on Monday said the incident "typified the thuggery of the CFMEU" and was a consequence of having a "militant union". Mr Crisafulli said no one involved in that incident had been held to account for their behaviour. Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg said the costs associated with delays and the CFMEU "deliberately" trying to interrupt work was a large portion of an additional $55 million which had been directed towards the Centenary Bridge upgrade. He said 70 days of work had been lost. "They would deliberately protest on days where there [were] critical tasks," he said. A commission of inquiry can compel witnesses to give evidence, and charges can be recommended once completed. Mr Crisafulli has described it as the "strongest lever" available to the government. There's no details on cost for the commission, but the premier said on Monday he would like to see it begin next month and run for around a year. Mr Crisafulli promised the commission would provide an additional level of protection for witnesses to come forward. The commission of inquiry has been welcomed by the Property Council and the Civil Contractors' Federation. Mr Crisafulli said he did not see a place for the CFMEU in Queensland under its current business model. Instead, he's promised to return "productivity to job sites". "I yearn for a day when the likes of the CFMEU aren't in business and they're replaced with the kind of unions that actually care about their workers ... and productivity," he said. Mr Watson was commissioned to write the report by Queensland administrator Mark Irving KC. The Queensland branch of the union was placed into administration last year following allegations the Victorian branch was linked to bikie gangs and crime syndicates. The report was based on 60 interviews Mr Watson conducted. It detailed the union's use of violence to "support a pursuit of political, industrial and financial power" and alleged that violence or threats were used against women, workplace health and safety inspectors and in some cases, against politicians. Several former key figures in the union, including secretary Michael Ravbar and assistant secretary Jade Ingham, who were accused of having "cultivated a culture of violence" declined Mr Watson's multiple requests for interviews. Mr Watson described an "obstinate refusal to co-operate from some critical witnesses" as well as others who had been "afflicted with widespread memory loss". Mr Ravbar has rejected the allegations made by the report and told the ABC last week he had nothing to fear from a commission of inquiry. The CFMEU administrators declined to comment. Mr Crisafulli said the government had referred the allegations in the report to police and the state's Crime and Corruption Commission.
The Guardian
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Queensland LNP government launches inquiry into CFMEU state branch and its Labor ‘enablers'
Queensland's Liberal National party government has invoked the inquiry that brought down decades-long conservative rule in the state as it vowed to pursue a Labor opposition that it described as the 'enabler' of violence within a union. The premier, David Crisafulli, announced a 'landmark inquiry' into the state branch of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU) on Sunday, which he described as the 'most powerful tool' at the government's disposal. 'Today I can announce a commission of inquiry into the stranglehold and standover tactics of the CFMEU in Queensland and the protection racket that has allowed it to occur,' the premier said. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email The government said its inquiry – which the premier hoped might start in August – would have the power to demand documents, protect witnesses who feared retribution and compel those who chose not to participate in a report by the Centre for Public Integrity senior counsel Geoffrey Watson, which was released on Wednesday. That report, titled Violence in the Queensland CFMEU, described a union that 'embraced a culture which encouraged and celebrated the use of threats of violence, intimidation, misogyny and bullying'. Watson said he feared his investigation 'only scratched the surface of the violence in the Queensland CFMEU'. 'If the Watson report only scratched the surface, well nothing short of a full-blown commission of inquiry will provide the sunshine that is needed to repair a broken system,' the premier said. His deputy, Jarrod Bleijie, likened the inquiry into the union to the landmark Fitzgerald inquiry that led to the downfall of longstanding conservative premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen. That inquiry, which was established in 1987 and lasted almost two years, led to the jailing of four former state ministers and several senior police figures, including the disgraced police commissioner. 'The LNP will purge the underbelly of the CFMEU and its enablers in Queensland,' Bleijie said. 'This is Labor's Fitzgerald moment and people must be held accountable for enabling the actions of the CFMEU in the last 10 years.' The LNP swept into power last October after nearly a decade of Labor government. During Sunday's press conference, Bleijie named most of the senior Labor figures who remain in parliament but focused heavily on the former industrial relations minister Grace Grace, whom he described as the CFMEU's 'chief enabler'. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'In 2015 the Labor party was elected back in government in Queensland and what we saw ensue over the last 10 years is nothing but a protection racket for the CFMEU orchestrated by Labor, its administration and its ministers at the time,' Bleijie said. Grace, now the shadow industrial relations minister, labelled Bleijie's comments as 'absolutely ridiculous and completely and utterly baseless accusations' – and the government's announcement 'pure politics'. 'The Fitzgerald moment – what, taking bribes? Is he kidding? Rorting the electoral system?' Grace said, alluding to practices of the corrupt Bjelke-Petersen regime. 'For goodness sake, stop playing politics and let's get on with the business of what we need to do.' Grace said the actions of CFMEU officials and members outlined in the Watson report 'embarrassed the union movement' and that she 'condemned them in the strongest possible terms'. 'That's why we put them into administration, together with the federal Albanese government, and these people have been sacked, and one of the recommendations [of the report] are that those that continue to operate in that manner will be sacked,' she said. Grace said she believed the Crime and Corruption Commission had the power to investigate the violence and bad actors, which she said were limited to one union and whose actions largely fell under federal legislation. 'But look, if the government of the day wants to do [a commission of inquiry], we're happy to cooperate,' Grace said. 'I've got nothing to hide. We don't want to play politics with this and we need to stop this behaviour, there is no doubt about that.'
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Queensland Government announces crackdown on CFMEU following damning report
The Queensland government has announced a sweeping Commission of Inquiry into alleged bullying and illegal behaviour by the state's CFMEU branch. It follows a damning report from eminent barrister Geoffrey Watson SC, which found the CFMEU led a 'campaign of violence' against workers, women and children. The investigation by Mr Watson looked at coercive and illegal practices in the union, but was allegedly hampered as potential witnesses feared retribution. 'I fear this investigation only scratched the surface of the violence in the Queensland CFMEU,' Mr Watson said. 'There are many other potential witnesses and many other stories which could have been told. 'There was an obstinate refusal to co-operate from some critical witnesses with connections to the CFMEU. 'It seems, sadly, that CFMEU officials are afflicted with widespread memory loss.' Premier David Crisafulli referred Mr Watson's report to the Queensland Police Service and said a new Commission of Inquiry was needed to get the full picture of potentially criminal behaviour in the CFMEU's Queensland branch. 'This is the most powerful Inquiry in the State to give a voice to those made powerless by the CFMEU and their Labor protection racket. 'This is the spotlight needed to bring the CFMEU out of the shadows, the violence, bullying and intimidation will have no place to hide. 'We are drawing a line in the sand to make sure workers are safe on worksites and productivity can return to construction.' The Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie said the inquiry would allow witnesses protections to compel them to come forward. 'This is Labor's Fitzgerald moment and will be the end to the protection racket for these CFMEU thugs. 'The 55 brave men and women helped scratch the surface, the Inquiry will now get to the bottom of the CFMEU's standover tactics so we can protect Queenslanders from this violence, bullying and intimidation.'
ABC News
6 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli to announce commission of inquiry into state CFMEU
The Queensland government will launch a commission of inquiry into allegations of violence and cultural issues within the state branch of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU). The announcement follows a damning report written by lawyer Geoffrey Watson SC alleged the union used violence to "support a pursuit of political, industrial, and financial power". The report, commissioned by Queensland CFMEU administrator Mark Irving KC, was compiled from nearly 60 interviews conducted by Mr Watson. A commission of inquiry can compel witnesses to give evidence, and charges can be recommended when it is completed. Premier David Crisafulli said it was the "most powerful inquiry" the state could launch. "If this report only scratched the surface we owe it to Queenslanders to get the full picture with a commission of inquiry," he said.
ABC News
7 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Report into Queensland CFMEU branch leaves many questions unanswered
It's the open secret that festered on Queensland job sites for years. Women and children caught in the crossfire. A culture of violence, steeped in cowardice and thuggery. The Watson report released this week blew the lid off the inner workings of the Queensland CFMEU in expletive-ridden detail. It revealed a regime that was relentless and ruthless. "The conduct of the CFMEU has required some of their targets to quit their jobs, to move their homes, and to seek medical assistance," barrister Geoffrey Watson wrote. "The CFMEU has ruined careers and caused long-lasting emotional and financial damage to its opponents." The report was commissioned by administrator Mark Irving KC, following allegations that the Victorian CFMEU branch had links to bikies and underworld figures. It exposed a litany of disturbing and violent alleged incidents — too many to detail in a news story. A worker chased with an angle grinder. A 13-year-old child threatened. A young woman abused at her gym. Even funerals weren't a safe space. Perhaps most concerning was Mr Watson noting he feared he "only scratched the surface of the violence" in his three-month investigation. So, how did it get to this? Can the CFMEU be saved? The Watson report detailed numerous alleged incidents of the CFMEU flexing its muscles and attempting to intimidate and threaten politicians to bend to its will. One minister described the union as "so aggressive ... that nothing can satisfy its appetite". Another needed a security upgrade because the abuse was so severe. Opposition Leader Steven Miles this week said he wasn't aware ministers had been threatened, although said he had experienced aggressiveness from the union. "I'd certainly been in meetings where they were behaving in a way I didn't think was appropriate, but that's not uncommon," he said on Thursday. "Some people lose their temper, and sometimes you have to manage that in the context of the meeting." Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick said all matters were referred to the police, and everyone was "shocked by the extent" of the report's allegations. Why then, if such behaviour was occurring, did Labor continue to meet with the union? It took CFMEU protesters bashing in the front door of a government building to get former premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to end meetings with the union. Why did the union have a direct phone line to the Office of Industrial Relations? Industry leaders said they had been calling out the bad behaviour for years. Mr Miles rightly pointed out it was his government that asked for the Queensland branch to be put into administration and investigated. That won't stop further questions being asked. Almost 60 people were interviewed during the investigation, but Mr Watson noted there was opposition from some. "There was an obstinate refusal to co-operate from some critical witnesses with connections to the CFMEU," he wrote in the report. "It seems, sadly, that CFMEU officials are afflicted with widespread memory loss." Two former key figures, union secretary Michael Ravbar and assistant secretary Jade Ingham, declined Mr Watson's multiple requests for interviews. The report largely blamed the pair for the union's culture, which Mr Ravbar rejected in "the strongest possible terms". The release of the report has promoted calls from construction industry leaders for proceedings in which people could be compelled to give evidence to be held. "We would strongly recommend and focus on a royal commission, in terms of coming into and exposing further behaviours," Emma McCaughey, president of the National Association of Women in Construction Queensland said on Friday. "[It would] provide safety and support for all women who wish to come forward with their stories because we know this report is just the tip of the iceberg." Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie wouldn't rule anything in or out when asked if the government would support such action. Queensland Major Contractors Association chief executive, Andrew Chapman, who also supported a royal commission, labelled the report a "seminal moment". He said the CFMEU's actions had bombed productivity, with some major projects recording only three days a week of effective work. However, he remained optimistic. "On some major projects, we have seen an improvement," Mr Chapman said. "The pipeline is huge in this state. There's housing we have to build, the Olympics, the transport program, the energy transition and the hospital program. That's why we need to improve productivity." Despite his scathing remarks, Mr Watson shared Mr Chapman's positivity in concluding his report. "In my view, the Queensland CFMEU can be restored to function as it used to function — a tough representative of its members, operating lawfully to secure improved conditions and safety in its members' workplaces," he wrote. Hope builds eternal. But the CFMEU's culture of violence, of which just a sliver seems to have been revealed, won't easily be deconstructed.
