Powerful United Workers Union boss Gary ‘Blocker’ Bullock responds to secret tapes scandal

The head of a Qld union which helped install Premier Steven Miles in the top job has responded after it had been inadvertently recording unlawful audio through its security cameras.

A powerful Queensland union that helped install Premier Steven Miles in the top job mistakenly recorded conversations in its Brisbane office through its security camera system for months.

But United Workers Union boss Gary Bullock is adamant the organisation has never reviewed footage at its Peel St office in South Brisbane without cause and all footage is deleted after 30 days.

Under Queensland’s invasion of privacy laws, using a listening device to overhear, record, monitor, or listen to a private conversation is unlawful.

The union discovered it was making secret recordings in its own offices as part of an unfair dismissal battle brought on by former union official Matt Lawrence, who was sacked by the UWU in May this year over allegations he used drugs at the Peel St office between October 2 and October 5 in 2023.

The act was allegedly captured on CCTV, including audio.

Mr Lawrence declined to comment.

United Workers Union State Secretary Gary Bullock. Picture: Supplied.

According to the union, the “error” of its CCTV devices recording both audio and video stemmed from a contractor’s upgrade of its systems, and the issue has since been rectified.

In a statement, Mr Bullock revealed the union had installed cameras through the office “for many years” to “ensure the safety of staff”.

He said cameras were first installed in the foyers as there had been instances of outsiders entering and stealing bags from desks. Cameras were then added to the carpark and external areas of the building due to “some minor assaults on staff” and trespassers.

None of those cameras had audio capability until they were replaced between 12 and 18 months ago.

“We had the cameras replaced in the foyers as they were at end of life. These cameras did have audio capability; however, we were not aware of this at the time that they were installed,” Mr Bullock said.

“Further, the cameras are supposed to be installed with the audio function disabled but due entirely to an error on the part of the contractor who installed the upgrade, these cameras had audio enabled.

“I want to assure all staff that we do not review any camera footage without cause, and we do not retain footage for longer than 30 days. We first became aware that the audio had been enabled in error, late last year.”

Union boss Gary Bullock and Premier Steven Miles share a word at the back of Labor's post-budget lunch. Picture: Lydia Lynch

Mr Bullock said the audio capability was immediately disability once he became aware of it.

UWU boss Mr Bullock, or “Blocker”, is credited with installing Mr Miles as Premier after striking a late-night deal with Right-aligned Australian Workers’ Union.

Mr Miles described Mr Bullock as a “mentor” soon after securing the top job.

The union, as part of the unfair dismissal case, had been fighting against handing over the audio recordings for two main reasons including that it believed the audio was irrelevant to the case and a “fishing” attempt by Mr Lawrence.

The union was also concerned release of the audio was give rise to “complex criminal law considerations” due to invasion of privacy laws.

Fair Work Commission Vice President Mark Gibian SC, in a decision published on August 1, ordered the union to hand over the footage and audio records.

The union has indicated it intends to prevent the audio from being heard publicly in court.