CFMEU Qld-NT: Labor bankrolled CFMEU defence with taxpayer funds

The former Labor state government spent $150,000 of taxpayers’ money to help the militant CFMEU fight back against allegations of illegal conduct.

The former Labor state government spent $150,000 of taxpayers’ money to help the militant CFMEU fight allegations of illegal conduct – in an industrial dispute the union itself manufactured, a major review has found.

Deputy Premier and Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie has seized on the revelation as an example of the former state government running a protection racket for the union.

A landmark three-month investigation into the Queensland branch of the CFMEU by anti-corruption expert Geoffrey Watson SC found the union deliberately used violence, threats and coercion in its pursuit of power.

THE ONLY WAY WE CAN ENSURE THIS NEVER HAPPENS AGAIN IS THROUGH A ROYAL COMMISSION. READ TODAY’S EDITORIAL AND VOTE IN OUR POLL

This included relentlessly abusing Labor ministers amid a belief among the union it should be writing laws. The union also told public servants “you’re now working for us”.

A legal stoush erupted between the CFMEU and the now-abolished federal construction watchdog in 2018 after union members unlawfully entered a Bruce Highway upgrade site at Caloundra and stopped work several times between March and April.

Multiple arrests were made, with Queensland police laying criminal trespassing charges against several union officials.

The Watson review used the 2018 stoush as an example of the union’s belligerence in dealing with contractors, stating officials had manufactured a right-of-entry dispute.

But just a day before the Australian Building and Construction Commission launched federal court action against the union, then state industrial relations minister Grace Grace met with CFMEU bosses Michael Ravbar and Jacqui Collie to discuss portfolio matters.

The next day on April 18, the Labor state government intervened in the court matter in “the public interest” amid newly introduced workplace health and safety laws.

Ms Grace met with the CFMEU two more times while the court case was under way.

She defended the state’s involvement, saying it was common practice for the government to be heard in federal court matters that include state legislation and the government had followed Crown law advice.

Election donation records show in that same time frame the union donated a total of $27,000 to Queensland Labor.

It is understood the funds were for federal election purposes, and were made by the mining arm of the union before it formally split from the CFMEU in 2023.

The CFMEU lost the court case, and in 2023 was ordered to pay a $179,000 fine, while Queenslanders picked up the $150,000 tab for the state government’s involvement.

Opposition Leader Steven Miles, who was shocked by the thuggery documented in the Watson review, denied Ms Grace had capitulated to the union while industrial relations minister.

“Grace has consistently held a very strong line against this behaviour,” he said.