The CFMEU administrator refrained from sacking Queensland organisers accused of misconduct after assessing some had been under duress of the union’s former regime, including by a delegate who was later charged with torture and murder.

Mark Irving, KC, told the Queensland commission of inquiry into the CFMEU on Thursday that he disagreed with his anti-corruption barrister Geoffrey Watson’s recommendations that several organisers should be fired over allegations of violence, coercion or non-cooperation and instead saw it as an opportunity for some organisers to “repent”.