Inquiry Launched Into CFMEU Queensland Branch
- The Crisafulli Government announces a landmark Commission of Inquiry into the CFMEU Queensland branch following bombshell ‘Violence in the Queensland CFMEU’ report.
- Landmark Commission of Inquiry will have powers to compel documents and witnesses, and deliver protections for witnesses.
- Inquiry will focus on digging deeper into the CFMEU’s systemic violence, intimidation, misogyny and bullying exposed in Watson report.
The Crisafulli Government has today announced a landmark Commission of Inquiry into the coercive, bullying, intimidatory and illegal practices and conduct of the CFMEU Queensland branch.
The Inquiry follows a scathing report that lifted the lid on the underbelly of Queensland’s construction industry by Geoffrey Watson SC.
The damning ‘Violence in the Queensland CFMEU’ report found the CFMEU’s “campaign of violence” was likely planned and directed by the CFMEU’s former secretary Michael Ravbar and assistant secretary Jade Ingham against workers, women and children.
Concerningly, the report saw just 55 people interviewed over the course of the three-month investigation as many of those approached, including critical witnesses and victims, feared retribution.
Mr Watson himself said that: “I fear this investigation only scratched the surface of the violence in the Queensland CFMEU”.
“There are many other potential witnesses and many other stories which could have been told,” he stated in the report.
“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.”
“This investigation was conducted while the CFMEU constitutional challenge to the Administration was unresolved.
“While that decision was outstanding, several potential witnesses were reluctant to cooperate in case Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham were successful and reinstated.”
https://statements.qld.gov.au/statements/103056