‘Queenslanders aren’t fools’: Crisafulli says CFMEU a bigger problem

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says the Miles Labor government is treating Queenslanders like fools by claiming there is no evidence to warrant an investigation into CFMEU activities in the state.

Amid an outcry over union practices, Premier Steven Miles this week said he would not meet with the Queensland branch of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, or accept donations, while the union nationally remained under a “cloud”.

But despite also recommending the Queensland branch be placed under independent administration, Miles said he was not aware of any local allegations that warranted investigation. The union has retained its Labor links in Queensland, unlike other states.

Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli says Labor’s stance on the CFMEU is ‘taking Queenslanders for fools.’Credit: Matt Dennien

Crisafulli – who wants to establish a productivity commission to investigate union influence on building sites – on Friday said the government “was owned lock, stock and barrel by the CFMEU”.

“For the state government to somehow say that all of this has been hiding in plain sight, and they didn’t know about it, well, that’s taking Queenslanders for fools,” Crisafulli said.

“And Queenslanders aren’t fools.”

The Queensland branch of the CFMEU has 18,834 financial members. It has become a dominant presence on major construction sites, including the $6.3 billion Cross River Rail project.

This week, the Federal Court heard evidence from Cross River Rail’s lead contractor, CPB, that men wearing CFMEU hoodies intimidated workers crossing a picket line, and turned concrete trucks away.

Miles has asked Police Commissioner Steve Gollschewski to liaise with his Victorian counterpart about matters of criminal concern in Queensland. He said any complaints or allegations would be investigated, and could be raised with the independent administrators.

Queensland CFMEU boss Michael Ravbar vowed to fight any move to curtail the union’s operations.

With a state election in October, Crisafulli said voters would be aware “this government owes its existence to the CFMEU”.

“The vast majority of other unions want what most Queenslanders want: well-paid, safe workers [and] contracts to be honoured in productivity,” he said.

As polls show the LNP is poised to return to government, Crisafulli said his election pitch was about responding to “four crises”.

“We’re going to [be] treating people with respect and making the election a contest about the four crises that Queensland is living through: health, housing, youth crime, cost of living,” he said.

Crisafulli has vowed to restore law and order, promised not to cut public service jobs, and on Friday backed frontbencher Ros Bates to become the next health minister.

Accusing Labor of hiding the social housing waiting list, Crisafulli said the LNP would allow faith-based organisations to build up to 10,000 homes on their land.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the latest social housing figures, showing a wait list of 43,782, were released in March and would be updated soon.

“If David Crisafulli is going to become the premier of this state, he needs to articulate an actual plan, because four word slogans don’t build houses, don’t build roads and it doesn’t keep our community safe,” Scanlon said.