CFMEU to be remade as ‘legally militant’, says administrator

Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie has issued a scathing rebuke over one word used by the CFMEU’s new administrator saying the state government will not co-operate unless it’s changed.

Mark Irving KC has been appointed as CFMEU administrator.

The man tasked with rebuilding the scandal-plagued CFMEU has declared his intention to make it a “legally militant” organisation.

The surprise pledge has been blasted by Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie, who says the state government will not co-operate with administrator Mark Irving KC’s investigation unless the language is changed.

In a letter to Mr Bleijie, seen by The Courier-Mail, Mr Irving asks for the state’s support in his investigation into violence, threats of violence and menacing conduct within the state’s construction sector, which he says is vital in aiding the CFMEU’s ability to represent more than 80,000 workers.

Mr Irving said he was committed to rebuilding the CFMEU as a “strong, democratic, member-controlled, lawfully militant union, enduringly free of corruption and criminal influence”.

It comes after Travis O’Brien, the Queensland administrator appointed to oversee the state branch, resigned two weeks ago.

Mr Bleijie issued a scathing response after taking issue with Mr Irving’s use of the world “militant”.

“There is no doubt that the militancy of the CFMEU has perpetuated the construction union’s violent and unlawful conduct, and any intent to rebuild the CFMEU as a ‘militant union’ will in my view only result in continued violent behaviour,” he said.

Industrial Relations Minister Jarrod Bleijie has demanded the word ‘militant’ be removed.

“I note that ‘militant’ as defined in the dictionary means ‘favouring confrontational or violent methods in support of a political or social cause’.

“Queenslanders have seen what the CFMEU militancy has led to in other states, including widespread reports of alleged extortion, the exploitation of vulnerable workers in the labour hire industry, the introduction of organised crime into workplaces and arson attacks.

“Under no circumstances will the Queensland Government support an investigation into the CFMEU which has the primary intent to bolster the militancy of this union.”

The administration plans to expand the investigation beyond the CFMEU, leaning on staff within the union, delegates and members of the union, police, regulators, employers and others across the union movement to conduct the investigation to “flush out” any violent conduct within the wider construction sector occurring from 2020 to present day.

“The investigation will not be limited to the actions of the union and its former leadership, but to the use of violence and threats by anyone in the construction industry,” Mr Irving said.

Queensland would not support the investigation, Mr Bleijie said, until the reference to the “militant” union was removed.

“This approach appears flawed from the outset and risks the introduction of the reported widespread criminality that has been alleged in other states, spreading deeper into Queensland,” Mr Bleijie said.

“I would respectfully suggest you remove ‘militant union’ from your terms of reference.”

Mr Irving was contacted for comment.

Originally published as CFMEU to be remade as ‘legally militant’, says administrator