Qld CFMEU leading coup against national secretary Zach Smith

The Queensland CFMEU is staging a coup against its national leader after sensational allegations of backdoor deals with the Labor Party and the nation’s peak union body.

• CFMEU’s wild history in Qld

The Queensland CFMEU is staging a coup against its national leader after sensational allegations of backdoor deals with the Labor Party and the nation’s peak union body.

It can be revealed Queensland delegates unanimously passed a vote of no confidence against CFMEU national secretary Zach Smith this week, accusing him of “engaging in self-serving and unilateral dealings” with the Australian Council of Trade Unions.

It is understood delegates involved in the motion were aligned with former Queensland state secretary Michael Ravbar and former assistant state secretary Jade Ingham, who were ousted during the administration takeover.

Mr Smith – now banished from CFMEU QLD-NT meetings – was also accused of going behind members’ backs and dealing with the Labor Party and federal minister Tony Burke when he handled the workplace portfolio.

Zach Smith is the new national CFMEU construction division secretary. Picture: Aaron Francis / The Australian

The motion alleged this was done “particularly in circumstances where elected union leaders have been removed without proper process or respect for member representation”.

Members cited “grave concerns” over Mr Smith’s conduct and legitimacy and denounced his appointment as national secretary under the federal government-imposed administration led by Mark Irving KC.

Former assistant state secretary Jade Ingham and former Queensland state secretary Michael Ravbar, who were ousted during the administration takeover. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Mr Smith disputed the allegations and said he had no intention of resigning after being elected in his own right.

“I have support from members around the country to do what is necessary to keep the union strong during administration to ensure we are around in the future,” he said.

He also said the “old guard” would rather “see the union in chaos” than see it succeed without them, in a veiled reference to Mr Ravbar and Mr Ingham, and denied striking deals with Labor and the ACTU.

Mr Smith revealed last July that he spoke with the then-workplace relations minister Mr Burke following the resignation of John Setka.

Fair Work Commission general manager Murray Furlong was appointed as the administrator of the national CFMEU in July 2024, with Mark Irving KC administrator of the Queensland branch.

The administration is aware of Thursday’s resolution.

Fair Work Commission General Manager, Murray Furlong. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

Mr Ravbar said he had not directed delegates, but supported their view “100 per cent”.

“This resolution reflects genuine frustration on the ground. Dismissing the resolution as the work of an ‘old guard’ ignores the real concerns from members driving it. ‘Old Guard’ is the kind of language I’ve come to expect from an ALP hack like Zach,” he said. “Delegates are aligned with the members they represent. This isn’t about sides. This is about standing up for union democracy.”

Mr Irving in February announced an inquiry into “violence, threats of violence and menacing conduct” within the Queensland branch.