Construction ‘thugs’ on notice at powerful union probe
Andrew Stafford |
Construction industry “thugs” have been put on notice they will face a lonely time when appearing before a powerful inquiry into their embattled union.
In his opening address to an inquiry into the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union, counsel assisting Liam Kelly KC pledged those who ruled the industry by intimidation would be held to account.
“Those packs of thugs … may learn the difference between ganging up on innocent and vulnerable people and learning the loneliness that one experiences when one is in the witness box,” he said on Wednesday.
The Queensland government called the inquiry in July after the publication of a report that levelled stunning allegations of violence, bullying, coercion and misogyny against CFMEU officials.
It will probe broader misconduct in the construction industry as well as within the state branch of the CFMEU.
Mr Kelly said the report by barrister and integrity campaigner Geoffrey Watson was likely to have only scratched the surface of the rot, noting it found “many potential witnesses remained silent and fearful of retribution”.
The union was put into administration nationwide in 2024 amid claims bikie and organised crime figures had infiltrated the organisation.
Work had already begun well ahead of the inquiry’s formal proceedings, Mr Kelly said.
Interviews with potential witnesses had been conducted, with almost 100 notices and summonses issued.
Mr Kelly rejected suggestions the inquiry was a union-bashing exercise.
“Unions play a vital role in Australian society and the movement is recognised as having a special role in keeping working people safe,” he said.
However, he said the integrity of Queensland’s workplace health and safety regime – and the CFMEU’s role within it – should be beyond reproach.
The construction industry was at the centre of economic growth, facilitating transport, urban development, housing and hospitals, Mr Kelly said.
“All in all, there appear to be significant questions over whether unlawful or improper conduct had taken root within the construction industry here in Queensland and within the CFMEU,” he said.
Mr Kelly encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward, assuring them confidentiality was ensured if a person was vulnerable or at risk.
“Sometimes, to protect a community, it is necessary for good people to have the courage to speak up,” he said.
Queensland was also preparing to roll out major infrastructure spending ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
But productivity within the construction industry had fallen by almost nine per cent since 2018, Mr Kelly noted.
Premier David Crisafulli described the inquiry as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to restore safety and productivity on Queensland work sites”.
“This is about the CFMEU, about a seedy, rotten, broken culture of bullying, of intimidation, of misogyny, of deliberately driving down productivity, and we have to change that,” he told reporters.
CFMEU Qld/NT executive officer Jared Abbott, appointed to the role after the union was put into administration, said the inquiry wouldn’t distract officials from “representing members, advocating for local jobs and building workers’ power”.
AAP
