Stuart Wood KC to lead Qld CFMEU inquiry into alleged violence, crime

A top industrial relations barrister has been appointed to lead Queensland's 12-month inquiry into alleged violence and corruption within the militant CFMEU.

Stuart Wood AM KC will lead the commission of inquiry into the CFMEU.

• Union probe: Your questions answered

The commission of inquiry into the militant CFMEU will be led by reputable industrial relations barrister Stuart Wood AM KC.

Department of Youth Justice director-general Bob Gee has been appointed secretary of the inquiry, and will temporarily leave his government role from next week following budget estimates.

The inquiry, which will examine widespread bullying, violence, misogyny, standover tactics and potential criminality, including alleged links to organised crime, is set to be officially launched by Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie on Friday.

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“Both Stuart and Bob bring a wealth of experience to these appointments as we continue to lift the lid on this underbelly of the Queensland construction industry with a commission of inquiry that will stamp out this militant union’s standover tactics and deliver the culture change needed to restore safety and productivity to construction sites,” he said.

A member of both the Queensland and Victorian Bar, Mr Wood specialises in employment and labour law and holds 30 years of experience appearing in the High Court of Australia and Federal and Supreme courts.

He became a queen’s counsel (now king’s counsel) in 2014.

Bob Gee will be secretary of the inquiry.

Mr Wood encouraged anyone involved in the construction industry with relevant information to come forward during the 12-month probe.

“This inquiry represents a significant responsibility, and I am committed to conducting it with the thoroughness and rigour the people of Queensland deserve,” he said.

Mr Gee pledged an unwavering commitment to due process as secretary.

CFMEU administrator Mark Irving KC has confirmed the inquiry would receive the full co-operation of the administration.

“The terms of references provide a rare opportunity to ensure that the focus of the commission will be on violence, corruption and criminality across the entire construction sector,” he said.

“The administration has taken the lead in exposing misconduct by the former leadership of the union and I trust that the commission will take into consideration the extensive work already undertaken by the administration to change the culture and direction of the CFMEU in Queensland.”

CFMEU Queensland executive officer Jared Abbott urged the commission to not use the inquiry to drive down wages and conditions of workers.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie on Friday defended Mr Wood’s former LNP membership, claiming it would not cause problems in the CFMEU Royal Commission.

Mr Bleijie said “there is no one better qualified in Australia” to take on the inquiry, believing he had the experience needed to take on a “mob mentality” within the union’s toxic culture, following reports of misogyny and intimidation.

“I hear this swear campaign from Labor already starting,” Mr Bleijie said.

“This is the most preeminent, qualified industrial relations expert in the country, and like any Royal Commission, he has to do his job independently, partially, and fairly.

“Every Royal Commissioner, whether a Federal Royal Commissioner or State Royal Commissioner, they all abide by the same rules.”

Mr Bleijie said there was precedence of politically aligned investigators that had conducted unbiased reviews, as he backed Mr Wood who started his role on Friday.

“We had the Coaldrake Inquiry when (Mr) Coaldrake had made donations to the Labor Party, and it was a very good inquiry, and it set a tone of change in the culture of public service.”