The State Government has announced a Commission of Inquiry into the practices and conduct of the Queensland branch of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union.
Referencing the 1980s inquiry into police corruption under the Bjelke-Petersen government, Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for Industrial Relations Jarrod Bleijie said this was Labor’s Fitzgerald moment and would end the protection racket for CFMEU thugs.
It aims to dig deeper into the violence, intimidation, misogyny and bullying exposed in a report by Geoffrey Watson SC.
“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,” Mr Bleijie said.
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has welcomed the announcement, saying it had long called for such an inquiry but on a federal level.
ACCI chief executive officer Andrew McKellar said the report by Geoffrey Watson SC which led to the inquiry in Queensland showed why a national inquiry with real teeth was needed.
“I commend the Queensland government for taking this action and actually trying to get to the bottom of these disturbing allegations of violence against people, even children,” Mr McKellar said.
“As the report by Geoffrey Watson SC concluded, there are too many potential witnesses who are refusing to give evidence because they fear for their own safety.
“Only an inquiry with the powers to compel witnesses to come forward is adequate to shine a light on what has been going on at the CFMEU for years.”
ACCI supported the move last year by the federal government to appoint an administrator at the CFMEU, saying it was an important first step.
It would like to see other measures introduced such as the reinstatement of a building and construction commission with the powers and resources to stamp out corrupt and illegal conduct in the construction industry and to work in synergy with the administrator.
It is also insisting that deregistration of the CFMEU must be on the table as an option for dealing with the union.
The State Government today blamed CFMEU action for directly adding $22 million to the Centenary Bridge Upgrade project. This included by delaying site access for deliveries and workers, as well as additional security to keep the site safe.
The situation deteriorated to the point where additional security personnel were employed and CCTV cameras installed to protect staff from violent and bullying behaviour by CFMEU representatives, it said.