What you said: Reaction to CFMEU decision to cut ties with ousted leaders Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham

News that the embattled CFMEU has formally cut ties with ousted leaders Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham has generated a swift and passionate reaction from Queenslanders.

Former Queensland Secretary Michael Ravbar with ex-Assistant state secretary Jade Ingham. Picture: Steve Pohlner

• 20-year reign ended by CFMEU

The Queensland state branch of the CFMEU has declared it will no longer be “influenced” by past officials, after confirming it has formally cut ties with ousted leaders Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham.

In a move aimed at charting a new course for the embattled union, it ends a regime that has lasted more than 20 years.

It comes after Geoffrey Watson SC released a scathing report into the Queensland branch earlier this month, revealing that the union used violence, threats and intimidation in its pursuit of political, financial and industrial power.

Readers have reacted with overwhelming support for the decision to cut ties with the pair, renewing calls for the CFMEU to be cleaned up, or even deregistered, but many have also welcomed the news with deep scepticism.

Here’s what readers said:

Michael Ravbar with Jade Ingham.

‘Deregister them now’: Calls for complete dissolution

Billy: “Deregister them is the only acceptable outcome for Queenslanders.”

Andrew: “Just a smokescreen from the union until the dust they are sweeping under the carpet settles and then they stir up the mess again. CFMEU needs to be deregistered just as the BLF was deregistered by the Hawke Government many years ago.”

Jackie: “This whole union should be deregistered”

Integrity Inferno: “Too late. Deregister and ban the CFMEU.”

Biff: “Deregister the union and ban all former members from holding any type of office.”

‘Leopards don’t change spots’: Scepticism over genuine reform

Happy Daze: “Pull the other leg, might want to change what is appears to be outwardly but same underneath.”

P: “Expressions of contrition don’t cut it after many years of the CFMEU rampaging through Queensland … Until the Qld branch of this rogue union presses Albanese to reinstate the independent supervisory Australian Building and Construction Commission, I won’t believe they’ve turned over a new leaf.”

So you say: “Leopards don’t change their spots …”

Nemo: “You can put lipstick on a pig but it’s still a pig. I’m not buying it and why did it take the announcement of an inquiry for these people to stand up and denounce the behaviour of ‘their’ Union?”

Dazzling: “Same circus, different clowns.”

‘Shadow control’: Behind-the-scenes influences questioned

Andrew: “They’re still in the background pulling strings”

Click Bait: “So honestly … have the ‘old guard’ truly left or are they just hiding in the background to conveniently avoid the blowtorch that’s finally being aimed at the CFMEU?”

William: “They will distance themselves in public but what happens behind closed doors will be kept a secret”

Brian: “Its all smoke.”

Geoff: “When all of this settles down my guess is they will be welcomed back with open arms”

‘Queensland can’t afford them’

PC: “Queensland can’t afford the CFMEU.”

Pat: “Seriously? A union meeting with companies to increase productivity? Who are they trying to bluff?”

Steve: “It took two decades for the Union executive to see and hear the never ending reports on TV and the massive fines all paid by the members … stop the strikes on a whim stop the lazy people who do nothing all day but stare at the home gate”

STEPHEN: “This greedy mob have jacked up the cost of building homes beyond the reach of the many, to benefit their few.”

Dave: “Fly some Aussie flags!” [Reference to removing CFMEU flags from construction sites]

Originally published as What you said: Reaction to CFMEU decision to cut ties with ousted leaders Michael Ravbar and Jade Ingham