CFMEU’s Michael Ravbar denies ordering Legacy Way disruption

CFMEU heavyweight Michael Ravbar claims he did not order a former right-hand man to disrupt the $1.5 billion Legacy Way project in 2012 and has no idea why he was there.

CFMEU heavyweight Michael Ravbar claims he did not order a former right-hand man to disrupt the $1.5 billion Legacy Way project in 2012 and has no idea why he was there.

Michael Ravbar leaves the Federal Court in Brisbane. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Peled

The Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC) has alleged the militant union and four officials, including Labor Party powerbroker Mr Ravbar, breached the Fair Work Act by targeting Universal Cranes in 2012 for not having a CFMEU enterprise bargaining agreement.

The union and officials deny the allegations and defended the case during a six-day Federal Court trial. Mr Ravbar finished giving evidence yesterday, after facing questions from the ABCC’s barrister Christopher Murdoch QC and Justice John Reeves.

Mr Ravbar denied he gave directions to disrupt the work of Universal Cranes on the Legacy Way and Port Connect projects.

Justice Reeves asked Mr Ravbar if he knew why ­former organiser Paul Cradden, the ABCC’s key witness, was at the Legacy Way project with fellow organiser Steve Toyer in July 2012.

“No I can’t (explain why) ... that’s the first I’ve heard of it,” Mr Ravbar said.