Jarrod Bleijie questions CFMEU administration officer Travis O’Brien’s independence

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has questioned the role of the man tasked with helping clean up the Queensland CFMEU after he came to the defence of the militant union.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie. Picture: Annette Dew

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie has questioned the role of the man tasked with helping clean up the Queensland CFMEU after he came to the defence of the militant union.

Executive administration officer Travis O’Brien has slammed government claims the union was in “lock-step” with outlaw motorcycle gangs.

“I want to be as clear as I can be, the CFMEU is not in lock-step with bikies. That is just wrong,” he said.

“I want to express my deep disappointment at the comments of the Police Minister … (whose) comments have jeopardised the safety of organisers and staff.”

Mr Bleijie then sensationally accused Mr O’Brien of being an active union representative.

“He’s actually not the independent administrator,” Mr Bleijie said.

“He’s been appointed as the state secretary of the CFMEU, so does it surprise you that the CFMEU representative is backing the CFMEU and talking positively about the CFMEU? I don’t think so.”

Mr O’Brien is not a member nor the state secretary of the CFMEU. He was a member prior to becoming a barrister.

He represented the union in Fair Work proceedings prior to his appointment as executive administration officer of the Queensland branch by federal administrator Mark Irving KC.

Mr O’Brien said he had sought a meeting with the new government to raise concerns over its suspension of Best Practice Industry Conditions.

Mr Bleijie, asked on Friday if the government should refrain from making comments about CFMEU bikie affiliations without supporting evidence, said he had referred bikie-related allegations to the police.

“There is an actual police investigation occurring at the moment, and I know that because I referred it to the police in Opposition about alleged bikie links with the CFMEU in Queensland,” he said.

A Queensland Police Service spokesman said the organisation was unable to comment on specific investigations.

Originally published as Jarrod Bleijie questions CFMEU administration officer Travis O’Brien’s independence