‘Violent’ CFMEU Centenary Bridge protests cost taxpayers $22m

Premier David Crisafulli has revealed the CFMEU cost taxpayers more than $20 million in delays at one of Brisbane’s key transport infrastructure projects.

CFMEU protesting Foreign steel in the construction upgrade of the Centenary Bridge, Jindalee, in 2024. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The state government has claimed CFMEU disruption on a critical transport infrastructure project cost taxpayers more than $20 million and similar costs could be seen “across the board”.

Premier David Crisafulli said a combination of 70 days of lost work at the Centenary Bridge project since February 2024, as well as delaying site access for deliveries, additional security, CCTV and fencing cost Queenslanders $22 million.

He claimed similar costs had been replicated across the board, but could not provide an exact number of how many other sites across Brisbane saw taxpayers slugged or how it was calculated.

“Very few sites typify the thuggery of the CFMEU like here at Centenary Bridge, and you’ve all seen the images,” he said.

CFMEU protests at the Centenary Bridge cost taxpayers $2m. Picture: Patrick Woods.

“You’ve all seen what happened … when there was that boil over, and it happened here, and Queenslanders saw it, and it was one of those moments where people looked at it and said, there’s something wrong in Queensland,” Mr Crisafulli said.

It comes after the state government announced a landmark commission of inquiry into the CFMEU on Sunday to investigate violence, misogyny and intimidation within the union’s Queensland ranks.

The inquiry would allow for extraordinary powers to compel witnesses to give evidence and could result in legislative reform or criminal prosecution for those found to have enabled the toxic culture within the CFMEU.

Mr Crisafulli said he wanted work to start as early as next month, and would likely run for one year, but the costings or who would lead the inquiry is still yet to be announced.

Centenary Bridge duplication works in July 2024. Picture: David Clark

The Centenary Bridge worksite saw flashpoints of violence and protests over the last year, including one instance where the militant union threatened a worker.

Barrister Geoffrey Watson SC also detailed an incident in his bombshell report released last week, where more than ten members surrounded a car being driven by two AWU organisers.

The cost to build the bridge has now blown out to $353.5 million, $55 million more than what was budgeted in 2024.

Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg claimed a large portion of the added cost was associated with delays caused by the CFMEU

“Their recklessness and lawlessness are costing taxpayers,” he said.

Mr Crisafulli said the results of the commission of inquiry would increase productivity and bring down the prices of construction costs.

“Success, for me, looks like a CFMEU that doesn’t exist in its current form, and if that’s the case, there won’t be blowouts because of union favour, there won’t be a culture where people are scared to go to work.”

CFMEU protesting Foreign steel in the construction upgrade of the Centenary Bridge, Jindalee. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Originally published as ‘Violent’ CFMEU Centenary Bridge protests cost taxpayers $22m