Published Yesterday at 10:52 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Veterans
The Honourable David Crisafulli
Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations
The Honourable Jarrod Bleijie
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Minister for Integrity
The Honourable Deb Frecklington
Commission of 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.”
The Crisafulli Government has referred the Watson report to the Queensland Police Service, for their consideration.
Premier David Crisafulli said a Commission of Inquiry was needed to lift the lid on the culture of violence, intimidation and potential criminality in the CFMEU.
“If this report only scratched the surface we owe it to Queenslanders to get the full picture with a Commission of Inquiry,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“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 violence, misogyny and standover tactics from the CFMEU have no place in Queensland, and this is the first step in delivering the change that’s needed.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie said the Watson report was eye-opening but hamstrung by the reluctance of critical witnesses and victims to come forward over fears of retribution.
“Under the Inquiry witnesses will be afforded protections and documents will be compelled to get to the bottom of this insidious militant behaviour that has terrorised Queensland for a decade,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“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.
“This will help restore safety and the rule of law on Queensland construction sites.”
Attorney General Deb Frecklington said a Commission of Inquiry was integral to discovering how violent the CFMEU’s culture had become.
“Queenslanders have a right to know the full extent of what has been allowed to fester inside the CMFEU,” the Attorney-General said.
“The Crisafulli Government will not stand by and tolerate this culture of fear, bullying, and violence that has dictated our construction sites.
“The public deserve answers they never received under the former Labor government, and we are fully committed to delivering this critical Inquiry.”
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Samantha Scott 0499 984 004